3 Films From the Director of THE WORLD OF GEISHA and A WOMAN WITH RED HAIRAn All About Eve take on the glamorous world of striptease dancers striving for professional perfection, Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire is the first of director Tatsumi Kumashiro s films for Nikkatsu s so-called Roman Porn series. Set in a variety theater in the center of Osaka, a young strip-tease artist, Harumi (Hiroko Isayama), has had enough of the lesbian act she performs with Mari, and is eager to start up her own joint. Unfortunately, her yakuza pimp, Isamu, will do anything to stop her. Later, the police charge her for obscene exhibitionism in a show she performs with famed real life Japanese strip queen Sayuri Ichijo. Considered a masterpiece of Pink Cinema, Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire is the film for which Isayama won the Best Actress of the year award from the prestigious Japanese film journal Kinema Jumpo. Japan / 1972 / 70 min. / 2.35:1 / color / in Japanese with English subtitles
J**0
In response to the last review.
I just purchased the Tatsumi Kumashiro collection of 3 films ("Twisted Desires"), this film being the first in that set. I can understand the dismay that these are not traditionally great films (in the sense of a traditional narrative studio hit) but they certainly are truly soulful snapshots of Japan in that time, incorporating old, earthy, folk songs and the cheated trials of the working class. Unlike brother Koji Wakamatsu's best pink films, these are less political, but they star the same stable of aimless losers that were the lost heroes of the Showa era. Like John Cassavetes' homemade films, these are all rambling and messy, but they touch something in your heart that the big studios could never reach. "Twisted Path of Love" aka "Lovers are Wet" (1973) was my favorite of these, but this one is great and features AMAZING vintage footage of Osaka as well, including skyscraper rooftop roller-coaster sex. I mean it!
J**M
For fans of pink films, mostly.
I bought the three disk dvd: "twisted desires". Having already seen Kumashiro's "street of joy" (not included there) and now this film, i have to say that his work is very overrated. His films are considered masterpieces by many!! I find them plotless and boring. The eroticism in his films is of very bad taste, too. So i don't understand the awards and the high praise! The script that i read on internet and on the back cover is not accurate. Sayuri Ichijo's role is secondary! She is not the leading actress. I did not see any humor in her performance either. This film looks stunningly beautiful though. That's its strongest asset. The transfer by Kimstim is excellent. 3.5 stars.
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