Onibaba (1964)

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 HALLOWEEN REVIEWS 2022


Director / Writer: Kaneto Shindo

Stars: Nobuko Otowa, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Kei Sato, Jukichi Ono, Taiji Tonoyama, Somesho Matsumoto, Kentaro Kaji, Hosui Araya



An old woman (Nobuko Otowa) and her daughter-in-law (Jitsuko Yoshimura) eke out their living by selling the armor of the wounded samurai they murder while they wait for the man of the house to return from war.

 


One of his comrades (Kei Sato) returns instead to report that he has died, thereby setting in motion a vicious triangle.

 


The man wants the daughter-in-law, but the old woman fears that she will not be able to make a living by herself and is offended by her daughter-in-law's transfer of affection.

 


The situation comes to a head when a mysterious samurai wearing a demon mask appears. 



Director Kaneto Shindo has crafted a powerful film about elemental human impulses toward survival and sex and the terrible consequences that can result. 



Given their desperate circumstances, it is difficult to condemn the characters for their actions, but this will not save them from the bad karma they have accumulated.

 


The sea of wind-blown grass that serves as the setting for the film is visually stunning and emphasizes the restlessness of the characters.

 


The black and white photography is beautiful as well.


Spoiler alert!!! End of the movie!!


































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