Japanese poster
Wife Collector/Hitozuma korekutā, Kusatta machi, Hisayasu Sato, Japan, 1985, 63 mins, Shishi Productions
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The Plot: A fetishizing rapist-taxi-driver with a penchant for videotaping his victims becomes involved with a married woman who throws him for a loop. Figure in a perverted younger sister with a photographic obsession of her own, tear gas, incestuous suggestions, and well...what you've got is a full-scale Pinku bonanza. Hisayasu Sato steers the film journey up & down familiarly themed cinematic roads to his fans. The road is clearly paved with plenty of "rape stops", though manages to touch upon subjects such as: Voyeurism, Alienation, Feminism (though that's a stretch), Misuse of Technology, Obsession & Fetishes along the way. All in all: It's pretty nihilistic in its portrayal of moral decay, but at least there's a nice punk-rock soundtrack! Something Sato's later films tend to lack and which his earlier works had; that being an effective score. Rock out while you get your rape on, I suppose. Technically, the film is gritty while lacking in bright colors. It's rather dingy. I think this visual aesthetic suits the style of film well. The camera work lends to the sleaziness of it all too, as were treated to close ups and unforgiving angles of the camera-as-stalker. Anyways, it's all professionally done, but nothing spectacular, so much as idiosyncratic. An urban tale of degradation. Hisayasu Sato's early feature film aims to shock, but also has something to say; ...and Display. So find some tear gas & a gas mask before viewing! You'll understand when you watch it... - Reviewed by Mitch |