Program Note
Aki, a nude model, is captivated by a strange feeling when she sees Michio, a blind sculptor, meticulously touching a sculpture modeled after her body in an art gallery. Later, Aki is kidnapped by Michio, disguised as a blind masseur. She wakes up in a gloomy space filled with molds and sculptures of various parts of the female body and begins a grotesque relationship with Michio.
This compelling work showcases the collaboration of two masters: the original story by renowned Japanese mystery novelist Edogawa Rampo and the provocative direction of Masumura Yasuzo. Acclaimed as a global cult classic, this film is famous for being the first in Japanese cinema history to address sadomasochism. The surreal images and atmosphere portray the bizarrely twisted emotions of the two characters as they endlessly indulge in each other, now available in a world premiere 4K remastered version. (Martin LEE)