A TALE OF SORROW & SADNESS

(Japan 1977)

Original Title: Hishu Monogatari 悲愁物語

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Directed by Seijun Suzuki Produced by Kenzo Asada, Yoshiki Nomura Starring: Yoko Shiraki, Yoshio Harada, Masumi Okada, Joe Shishido, Kuniko Ashihara, Chieko Harada, Asao Koike Reviewing: Radiance Films UK Blu-ray Release Genres: Drama/Thriller/Comedy

Rating: 4 / 5

Radiance Films UK Blu-ray Synopsis: The editor of a sports magazine grooms fashion model Reiko (Yoko Shiraki) to become a pro golfer, while retaining exclusive rights to her likeness. Reiko's popularity soars after she wins her first tournament and she becomes a media sensation, but when she and her manager (Yoshio Harada, Zigeunerweisen) cause a hit-and-run accident, the victim begins to blackmail Reiko, intruding further and further into her personal life. This was Siejun Suzuki's comeback film after being blacklisted by the film industry for ten years. Though adapted from a popular manga, the bold visuals and absurdist plot twists are vintage Suzuki. (93 Mins)

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Views: Directed by the prolific Seijun Suzuki, in what would be his first film after a decade of silence, A Tale Of Sorrow & Sadness marked a welcome return for the critically acclaimed director and still proves, even today, to be an interesting and beautifully directed title from his lengthy filmography. The film plays like a satire of consumerism, the obsession with idols, and even the film industry itself as it tells the tale of a female model, Reiko, who is recruited by the editor of a fashion magazine, and groomed to become a professional golfer for their agency. Proving to be quite successful during her first tournament, Reiko is soon in high demand winning over a new fanbase, the praise of her mentor, and more. But after a hit-and-run incident, she soon starts to question her new found fame as one of her obsessed followers starts to threaten her with blackmail and more...

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With shades of Play Misty For Me (1971) and What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962), A Tale Of Sorrow & Sadness is as humorous as it is sinister, camouflaged as a sports-drama yet gives it's audience so much more. Prior to this, Suzuki had been blacklisted by every major Japanese film studio after suing the Nikkatsu Company for wrongful dismissal among other things – apparently their president Kyusaku Hori wasn't a fan of his absurd, surreal and unconventional (yet often gripping) style of film-making; claiming often that Suzuki went too far in his execution. A young soldier on the front line in 1943, Seijun Suzuki was no doubt affected by the horrors of war yet at the same time, adapted a wicked sense of humour that helped him get through what he was experiencing. This, in turn, carried over to his directorial efforts and while not for everyone, was a fundamental element in his style of film-making as seen in films such as The Naked Woman & The Gun (1957), Underworld Beauty (1958), Fighting Delinquents (1960), Youth Of The Beast (1963), Gate Of Flesh (1964), Tokyo Drifter (1966) and Branded To Kill (1967) which has been considered his masterpiece by many. And while A Tale Of Sorrow & Sadness may not been seen by many as one of his finest, it still proves to be highly enjoyable – in that Suijun Suzuki kinda way!

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Little known actress Yoko Shiraki does a fantastic job as Reiko Kashiwagi, accompanied for the most part by the late and hugely prolific Yoshio Harada – star of films such as Lady Snowblood 2 (1974), 9 Souls (2003), Azumi (2003), Izo (2004), The Hunted (1995), Shogun's Samurai (1978), Ronin-Gai (1990), Manhunt (1976), The Trail Of Blood (1972) and so much more including other Suzuki titles. They are joined by fellow actors such as Kyoko Enami, Masumi Okada, Koji Wada, Shuji Sano, and Noboru Nakaya to name but a few.

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Adapted from a popular manga, albeit with a few wild plot twists courtesy of Suzuki, A Tale Of Sorrow & Sadness is stunningly shot by Masaru Mori – a popular cinematographer of the infamous Pink Cinema sub-genre of Japanese cinema. In fact, these visuals are even more glorious than before thanks to the wonderful new Blu-ray release by Radiance Films that comes complete with a hugely informative audio commentary by Samm Deighan, as well as a fun and insightful 20 minute interview with veteran Suzuki editor Kunihiko Ukai and a trailer – quite possibly the finest release of this great movie to date and limited to only 3000 units. Almost 50 years later, A Tale Of Sorrow & Sadness still stands strong as a fantastic piece of classic Japanese cinema from a director that defied the odds, and gave the world some highly memorable works of film!

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Overall: Beautifully made, bizarre and unexpected, yet highly entertaining, A Tale Of Sorrow & Sadness was a great comeback movie for Suzuki and a rewarding watch overall!

Radiance Films Blu-ray Extras: Audio Commentary with Samm Deighan, Interview with editor Kunihiko Ukai, Trailer