Hana to hebi 2: Pari/Shizuko (2005)

Director:

Takashi Ishii

Writers:

Oniroku Dan (novel)
Takashi Ishii (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 May 2005 (Japan)

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Female Full Frontal Nudity | Female Pubic Hair | Shaving Of Vagina | Female Nudity | Urination Scene

Cast

Aya Sugimoto	...	Shizuko Tooyama
Kenichi Endo	...	Ryoosuke Ikegami (as Ken'ichi Endô)
Fujiko	...	Sayoko Ikegami (naked girl in Ryôsuke's room)
Mieko Arai	...	Takako, The woman applied to auction
Yôzaburô Itô
Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi
Tôru Shinagawa	...	Oikawa
Shun Nakayama
Jo Shishido	...	Takayoshi Tooyama (as Jô Shishido)

Also Known As:

Flower & Snake II (International: English title)

Runtime:

118 min | South Korea:99 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

South Korea:18 (cut) | South Korea:18 | Japan:R-18

Filming Locations:

France

Company:

Femme Fatale

Movie Connections:

Follows Hana to hebi (2004)

Not as anarchic as original, but still potent, transgressive art

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Aya Sugimoto is one of the most courageous and interesting actresses in the world today, a female volcano of carnality and rebellion. In FLOWER AND SNAKE 2 - Paris/SHIZOKU, a sequel that lacks the original's sexual anarchy, she returns to the role that elevated her star two years ago by playing the wife of a wealthy art critic who subjects herself to various forms of masochism for the sake of her partner. Naturally, she begins to "enjoy" her treatment at the hands of sadistic men and, therefore, gets to express her "true nature". Takahi Ishii's sequel, which is set in Paris, rehashes some of the original, but also navigates new avenues. Produced and distributed by Toei, one of Japan's leading film studios, this series is extraordinary for its audacious approach to subject matter no studio in any other country in the world would touch. This installment echoes some of Wakamatsu's best work, and even recalls aspects of the French New Wave. The S & M scenarios, though quite explicit and cruel (relatively speaking), are beautifully shot and highly erotic. There is an exciting thread of incest here, in addition to mild golden games, bondage and suspension, and gorgeously photographed and staged "rape". Kenichi Endo, who appeared as a different character in the original, acquits himself well as Sugimoto's abuser, an artist whose genius she is sent to determine. The original, which was Ishii's version of what "Eyes Wide Shut" should have been, is a stronger pic, recreating for me the vibe of 80's Nikkatsu shockers such as "Captured For Sex". This follow-up, which boasts a sensational and appropriate climax, has a few slow moments, but it is still a deliciously transgressive piece of dark art.