In the Realm of the Senses
(1976)
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In the Realm of the Senses
(1976)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Tatsuya Fuji | ... | ||
| Eiko Matsuda | ... | ||
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Aoi Nakajima | ... |
Toku
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Yasuko Matsui | ... |
Tagawa Inn Manager
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Meika Seri | ... |
Matsuko (Yoshidaya maid)
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Kanae Kobayashi | ... |
Old geisha Kikuryû
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Taiji Tonoyama | ... |
Old Beggar
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Kyôji Kokonoe | ... |
Teacher Ômiya
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Naomi Shiraishi | ... |
Geisha Yaeji
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Shinkichi Noda |
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Komikichi Hori | ... |
Mitsuwa Geisha
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Kikuhei Matsunoya | ... |
Hôkan jester
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Akiko Koyama | ... |
Mansaki Geisha
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Yuriko Azuma | ... |
Mitsuwa Geisha
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Rei Minami | ... |
Mitsuwa Geisha
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Based on a true story set in pre-war Japan, a man and one of his servants begin a torrid affair. Their desire becomes a sexual obsession so strong that to intensify their ardor, they forsake all, even life itself. Written by Allen Brown <browna@ohsu.edu>
Sure, everyone (or most everyone) has heard about "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" and its remarkable statement about human sexuality. However, it is unlikely that as many people have heard about this film, which in a totally different way makes perhaps as profound a statement about that topic.
In fact, if you see an uncut version of this film, you are in essence watching pornography. That is, you are watching incredibly graphic sexual content that simply would not be allowed in an American film. I won't spell it out for you, but I will say this...do you know what they can't show you in American movies? This one shows that. And quite a bit more. This is not the type of sex you would see in a film like "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" or "Bliss" or some of the other decent American films about sex (though I can't think of any others). This is more like the sex shown in "Last Tango in Paris." The characters are so self-destructive and dangerous that the sex (one of the most inherent of all human practices) becomes an expression of their inhumanity. This is not easy stuff. But if you are willing to find an uncut version and experience the true power of this film, you may find yourself moved by the things you see.
This film blurs the line between pornography and art, and I believe that it stays one inch to the art side, but decide for yourself. Either way, I think that it is about time for American films to truly explore that distinction.