Search found 2 matches: Takeshi Kitano

That's gotta be Takeshi Kitano behind the gun smoke. I figure it's Sonatine

As there are only 3 modern Japanese directors of note (of live action films) - Takeshi Kitano, Kiroshi Kurosawa, and Takashi Miike - that people know well enough to use one of their films in this quiz, it's just a case of looking up what they did in 1997. This doesn't look like Kitano's Hana-Bi. Miike didn't make a film of note in 1997. This leaves Kurosawa, who made The Cure in 1997. From what I remember this is one of his most well-known films. I've heard of it but not seen it, but I'd be willing to wager that this is the answer.

I don't think this really qualifies as knowing the answer, but things seem to have ground to a halt a bit, so if anyone new wants to take a turn you're welcome to do so (assuming it is The Cure).