Third Window Films continues to do justice to the back-catalogue of director Shinya Tsukamoto by picking up and releasing one of his most critically acclaimed and internationally known works, A Snake of June.
This film is a psycho-sexual thriller that continues his experimentation with subject and method and daringness in shooting style by placing the rather excellent and underused actor Asuka Kurosawa in the middle of a visceral tale of sexual repression and release. With its monochromatic colours and humid rainy season atmosphere it becomes rather steamy but retains a rather dread-inducing atmosphere thanks to Tsukamoto’s editing and shot composition which becomes rather surreal.
It’s emotionally stirring stuff with complex performances to match the complex script and direction. You can read more of what I thought in a review of a version released by Tartan that I wrote back in 2012 as part of my Shinya Tsukamoto season. You can check out the director review archives for reviews from other directors who are contemporaries of Tsukamoto.
Here are the details of the newer and updated DVD release coming from Third Window Films:
A SNAKE OF JUNE
Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto (Tetsuo: The Iron Man, Tokyo Fist)
One of the most talked-about Japanese cult films of all time makes its way onto blu-ray for the first time EVER with a brand new high definition transfer supervised by Shinya Tsukamoto!
Japan / 2002 / 77 Mins / In Japanese with English subtitles / Colour
Starring: Asuka Kurosawa, Yuji Kohtari, Shinya Tsukamoto, Mansaku Fuwa, Tomorowo Taguchi, Susumu Terajima,
Out on Blu-Ray
September 28th, 2015
Special Features
New high definition transfer of the ‘blue’ version restored from original negatives by Shinya Tsukamoto
Collectable case with slip-case cover
New interview with the Shinya Tsukamoto
New audio commentary by Tom Mes, author of ‘Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto’
New UK Trailer
Synopsis
Rinko (Asuka Kurosawa from Cold Fish) and Shigehiko (novelist Yuji Kotari) are a strange couple, whose physical mismatch (she a lithe beauty, he an overweight, balding, obsessive-compulsive neurotic) is reflected in the complete lack of intimacy between them. They connect as human beings, but they live more like friends than as lovers and lead nearly independent lives. Both seem comfortable with this coexistence, but the desires that lurk beneath its surface are brought out with the introduction of a third element into the equation. When Rinko receives a package of candid photographs of herself masturbating and the sender (played by Tsukamoto himself) contacts her with the threat of exposing them to her husband, she submits herself to the anonymous voyeur’s sexual games. If she wishes to get hold of all the negatives and prints, Rinko is to comply with a set of assignments that place her constantly on the borderline between humiliation and pleasure – the voyeur knows exactly what Rinko’s personal erotic fantasies are and makes her act them out one by one.
Venice Film Festival – WINNER – Kinematrix Film Award & San Marco Special Jury Award
SITGES – WINNER – Best Art Direction / NOMINATED – Best Film
Fantasporto Film Festival – WINNER Best Actress & Special Jury Award