A Snake of June (2002)

A man and woman fall into an erotic nightmare when they are stalked by a disturbed man.

Director:

Shin'ya Tsukamoto

Writer:

Shin'ya Tsukamoto

Stars:

Asuka Kurosawa, Yûji Kôtari, Shin'ya Tsukamoto

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Asuka Kurosawa	...	Rinko Tatsumi
Yûji Kôtari	...	Shigehiko (as Yuji Koutari)
Shin'ya Tsukamoto	...	Iguchi
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Yukino Asai
Hira Dezu
Kôichi Fujita
Takehiro Fukuhara
Tomoya Fukumoto
Mansaku Fuwa
Teruko Hanahara
Kiyoto Harada
Daisuke Hatori
Noboru Inoue
Tarô Iwate
Shinji Kai

Storyline

Rinku is a suicide-prevention counselor, living with her husband Shigehiko. He's older than she, scrubbing things constantly, sexually indifferent. They sleep apart. During Tokyo's rainy season, Iguchi, a photographer Rinku has counseled by phone, sends her pictures he has taken through her skylight: she's wearing a short skirt, masturbating. He offers her the negatives if she'll follow his instructions. She's humiliated and agrees. He tells her he's only giving her license to express her inner desires. He sends her into the night to walk on the wild side. Then, she asks a favor of him, and soon her husband receives phone calls and photographs. Where will this triangle lead?

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Plot Keywords:

cancer | blackmail | photograph | vibrator | rain | 

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Taglines:

Issho ni, jigoku ni ikimashô

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality, nudity and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official [Japan] Official site [Netherlands]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

13 June 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Snake of June

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kaijyu Theater

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min 77 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Interesting avant-garde from Japan

This film is about sexual inhibitions, fantasies and social restrictions. The reviewer who said this film is stupid and has no story obviously doesn't grasp the fact that this is an avant-garde film. The imagery, themes and sound are what make the film, not the narrative. It works on a different level and is better appreciated by people who are interested in film as an art form rather than merely popcorn entertainment. The imagery is dark and provocative and enhanced by the blue and white monochrome. The director employs his trademark hand-held camera and big close ups. Although the themes are sexual in nature the film never feels like exploitation. The film isn't perfect by any means but is an interesting example of avant garde film-making by a significant Japanese director. Watch it with an open mind.