Dec 26

Dec 26 A Journey Into Extreme Japanese Cinema Through 5 Movies

1 964 PINOCCHIO (1991), SHOZIN FUKUI

In this dystopian tale, Pinocchio 964, a memory-wiped sex slave abandoned for impotence, encounters Himiko, another amnesic. Himiko aids amnesiacs by mapping the city. Taking Pinocchio in, she endeavors to restore his speech. As he grasps his predicament, a profound transformation engulfs him, revealing intricate alterations beyond memory loss. Himiko, too, undergoes a subtle metamorphosis. Their enigmatic changes unravel the mysterious and sophisticated nature of their modifications, leaving their past and their identities deeply entangled in a perplexing narrative.

2 EMPEROR TOMATO KETCHUP (1971), SHŪJI TERAYAMA

In a Japanese settlement, youngsters rebel against their adult guardians, aiming to establish a fresh society. However, their ambition unravels into chaos, leading them into a labyrinth of sexual deviance and violence.

3 TOKYO DECADENCE (1992), RYŪ MURAKAMI

An obedient sex worker navigates her profession, enduring mistreatment from Japanese businessmen and Yakuza figures. Unhappy with her occupation, she grapples with the knowledge that her lover has married, seeking solace amid this distressing reality.

4 ICHI THE KILLER (2001), TAKASHI MIIKE

In his quest to find his vanished boss, sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer Kakihara encounters Ichi, a suppressed and psychotic assassin with the potential to unleash a level of agony that exceeds Kakihara's wildest imagination.

5 FUNERAL PARADE OF ROSES (1969), TOSHIO MATSUMOTO

In 1960s Tokyo, Gonda operates a bar frequented by the gay, cross-dresser, and trans communities. He's romantically involved with Leda, the bar's madam. When Eddie, a younger individual, sparks a passionate affair with Gonda, it triggers jealousy in Leda, unaware of their intertwined past.