Often overlooked, Kichiku Dai Enkai (Banquet of Beasts) is a study of destructive & imploding Western ideology adopted by a group of Eastern youths, cleansed only by the nihilistic rituals of Japanese tradition divided into 3 "Enkai" throughout the entire film. It begins when the leader of a left-wing group committed suicide in prison, the leadership turned to a mentally unstable woman who immediately brought the group into a situation of horror full of extreme violence and total nihilistic madness. Above it's shoe-string budget to offer up something quite unique and unforgettable nightmare that making albeit one of the most unpleasant viewing experiences you might ever have. Now, I must warn you that this isn't your typical gore/scare fest of a movie. The movie is methodical in building the plot, allowing the tension to simmer and boil as it slowly gnaws away at us, the viewers. While I wouldn't recommend this movie to hardcore gorehounds, hack n stacks or supreme gore fests, I must say that for any fan of the horror genre this is a must see. Kazuyoshi Kumakiri sufficiently uses the most basic elements to create a sense of haunting and dread, though perhaps not fear itself. This is not a film you watch for enjoyment like how Sleaze and Troma fans will want to for the low-fi production values. As a sickly compelling tragedy with a nihilistic tone, it's a film you survive. In other words, this is not the right movie to watch for extreme shock value. One sits all the time waiting for it to crack and eventually does without me having to say more about it here. These feelings linger long after the credits. If you get the chance, see it!
Review of Kichiku dai enkai
