Tsigoineruwaizen

So you are here because you like such outrageous films as Branded to Kill and Nikutai no Mon. Overwhelmed by those films, you couldn't help but search for more about this truly unique filmmaker and found that he has continued to make films in the last two decades too. That is what led you here, right?

This film is a thoroughly independent "art" film made with fairly low budget. The story is about two university professors who meet a woman... OK, it is impossible to summarize the story of a Seijun film and actually say ANYTHING about the film, as you all know. As usual, the film gets forwarded through a series of images rather than driven by the plot engine. One of his finest works at it. Possibly the best.

Sadly enough, this film hasn't been seen by many outside Japan, presumably because its "Japanese-ness" would prevent them from fully appreciating its mastery (they say it should require some knowledge on the atmosphere of Japan of the period in which the film is set - in the early 20th century - to enjoy its mood).

But I doubt it. This is an astonishingly beautiful and nightmarish film that could be appreciated by anyone who loves cinema, although I must admit that it is not for everyone, not even for a Seijun fan who loves his yakuza flicks merely for their over-the-top absurdity and "campiness." Be warned.

There is no yakuza or prostitute in this film. Only chilling, nightmarish images.

This is a film for those who really want to find out that those B flicks are not the only things that Seijun Suzuki can offer. I sincerely hope that someone has enough guts to introduce this film to the world to make it available in English (French, German, Spanish and whatever) on video. Anyone?