In the Realm of the Senses

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Insomniac X Transgressive arthouse drama that explores the intersection of sexuality, obsession, and self-destruction. The film desensitizes its audience with continuous explicit material before reaching a climax that still has the power to shock witnesses fifty years later. Fascinating for its psycho-sexual implications -- the character's sexual drives are used to suppress their sense of self before being redirected toward personal obliteration. Its influence can be felt in films such as Lars von Trier's "Antichrist" and "Nymphomaniac." Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/19/25 Full Review Simon M Nagisa Ōshima’s In the Realm of the Senses is a daring, visceral exploration of sexual obsession, pushing the boundaries of both cinema and societal norms. The film is radical in every sense, not just for its unsimulated sex, but for the intense portrayal of two lovers consumed by an all-encompassing, destructive passion. Set against the backdrop of pre-war Japan, this unflinching narrative is more than just erotica—it’s a searing critique of traditional values and an examination of the blurred lines between desire, control, and power. The film’s radical nature is heightened by its visual beauty. The rich, stylised cinematography and exquisite production design immerse the viewer in a closed world where sensuality is both liberating and suffocating. Ōshima’s deliberate framing and use of bold colours elevate the story from its explicit content to an almost surreal meditation on human limits. The detached, voyeuristic camera adds an uncomfortable intensity, making viewers feel as if they’re intruding on an intimate and dangerous liaison. For those open to confronting taboo subjects, the film is a powerful experience that remains shocking and provocative even decades after its release. Its combination of raw sexuality and aesthetic brilliance makes it a standout in cinematic history, cementing its status as both a visual masterpiece and a radical work of art Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review Anna W Catastrophic A movie categorised as sexually explicit is literally a way to long porn movie with no deeper meaning or message. Way to long, way too disturbing, pervert… Please pay to watch another movie Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/19/24 Full Review Brent A 10% rating ... I couldn't get into the storyline of this film. Weird and at times, a little uncomfortable. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/27/23 Full Review dave s If anybody tries to convince you that Nagisa Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses has some sort of political message or social commentary, don't fall for it. It's simply soft-core porn, periodically slipping into something more hard-core. And that's fine because it features some beautiful cinematography, a stunning color palette, and surprisingly decent performances. To its detriment, it has some cringe-worthy dialogue (‘they say true love means eating food dipped in your lover's juices'), some stomach-churning visuals (a woman clips off her lover's pubic hair and eats it), so much gratuitous sex that it actually gets a bit boring, and a final scene that will make you want to vomit. It's lovely to look at but doesn't feel like it has much to say. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda) is a former prostitute who now works as a maid in a hotel, where she falls for the owner, Kichizo Ishida (Tatsuya Fuji), an affair that starts simply with non-stop sex and continues to become an obsession, as she doesn't want to share him even with his wife. Soon, their love games include strangling one another during sex and her holding a knife to his manhood, saying that she's going to take it with her. Well, that's exactly what happens, as she accidentally kills him while they make love and takes his member with her, walking with it inside her before she's arrested. Directed and written by Nagisa Oshima, who also made Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, this is a rare mainstream film that doesn't shy from unsimulated sex, made in a culture that even hides the mere glance at female genitals. It was made in France, while in Japan, it was fogged and blurred so that it could appear in theaters. Eiko Matsuda had worked in sexploitation films but was never treated as harshly by the public as she was when this film was made, finally moving to France and ending her acting career. Society remains unfair, as her male partner in the movie, Tatsuya Fuji, regained his career after two years. This was based on a true story and Sada Abe did not fade from the world after serving five years of her six-year sentence even though she asked for the death penalty. The police record of her interrogation and confession became a best-selling book. Over the next few years, the public perception of her moved from a pervert to someone who murdered for love. She acted in a traveling show and worked in a bar in downtown Tokyo for twenty years before appearing in Teruo Ishii's documentary History of Bizarre Crimes by Women in the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa Eras. When Oshima tried to find her before making this movie, he learned that she was in a nunnery, yet most reports claim that she disappeared. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews

In the Realm of the Senses

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