#473: IMAMURA, Shohei: The Insect Woman (1963)

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PIGS, PIMPS & PROSTITUTES: 3 FILMS BY SHOHEI IMAMURA {Spine #471}

IMAMURA, Shohei (Japan)
The Insect Woman [1963]
Spine #473
DVD


Born in a rural farming village in 1918, Tomé survives decades of Japanese social upheaval, as well as abuse and servitude at the hands of various men. Yet Shohei Imamura, ever the cinematic "entomologist," refuses to make a victim of her, instead observing Tomé (played by the extraordinary Sachiko Hidari) as a fascinating, pragmatic creature of twentieth-century Japan. A portrait of opportunism and resilence in three generations of women, The Insect Woman is Imamura's most expansive film, and Tomé his ultimate heroine.

123 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in Japanese
2:35:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2009
Director/Writers


Written by Keji Hasebe and Shohei Imamura.
Imamura was 37 when he directed The Insect Woman.

Other Imamura films in the Collection:

#472: Pigs And Battleships (1962)
#474: Intentions Of Murder (1964)
#207: The Pornographers (1966)
#384: Vengeance Is Mine (1979)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Sixteen-page booklet featuring an essay by film critic Dennis Lim.

Commentary

None.

Interview

With critic and historian Tony Rayns.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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