A TALE OF SORROW AND SADNESS (1977)
Label: Radiance Films
Region Code: A,B
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 93 Minutes 12 Seconds
Audio: Japanese PCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.39:1)
Director: Seijun Suzuki
Cast: Kunihiko Ashihara, Kyoko Enami, Chieko Harada, Joe Shishido
A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness (1977) was director Seijun Suzuki's returns to directing after a decade of being blacklisted following the released of Branded To Kill with Nikkatsu film studios, after the studio boss lambasted him for making incomprehensible, non-profitable films. while history has proven that studio boss woefully incorrect about Suzuki's films, well, they might not have been profitable, they were certainly astonishing film works that have long held up, and are championed to this day. His return was no tail-between-the-legs endeavor either, no sir, this is full-tilt weird stuff, an unlikely golf movie that explores the idea of crafting a pop-star and the downside of fame, all wrapped up in a surreal psycho-sexual veneer.
In it Miyake (Yoshio Harada, Lady Snowblood 2: Love Song of Vengeance), the editor of a sports magazine is paid a large sum of money by a corporation to grooms his fashion model girlfriend Reiko (Yoko Shiraki) to become a not just a pro golfer, but a tournament winning pro golfer. The idea is to manufacture a new model/sports super-star that will generate revenue for the company, who will retain the rights to her likeness - naturally. Miyake puts her through a grueling training regiment that put her through the wringer, working on her swing till her hands bleed, endless hours working on her drives and chips in front of wind turbines and under a sprinkler systems that emulate wind and rain, but the strict regiment pays off when she wins her first tournament, though it takes a physical toll on her body, causing her to pass out during her winning stroke. Regardless, she becomes an instant hit with fans, scoring lucrative modelling gigs and even hosting her own day time talk show.
Things take a strange turn she and her manager are involved in a hit-and-run accident, the victim Kayo Semba (Kyôko Enami) begins to blackmail Reiko, and sort manipulates her way inside of Reiko's personal life, insidiously taking control in weird and wildly unexpected ways, including pimping her out for sexual favors and hosting weird parties that get out of hand.
The places this goes is pretty wild, especially considering it started out as a golf flick, and it goes plenty more places than I have briefly described here, including a whole situation involving Reiko's younger brother which offers some unexpected moments of violence. There is also plenty of dark sexuality, and it's Suzuki, so we also get bold visuals, striking set design, and absurd plot points that make this quite a memorable exploration of corporate sponsored fabricated fame and the exploitation of celebrities.
Audio/Video: A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness (1977) makes it's worldwide Blu-ray debut from Radiance Films, presented in 1080p HD framed in 2.39:1 widescreen. The source looks terrific, in very nice shape with crisp, detailed visuals. colors look very nice, primaries, especially reds and greens have a nice pop tot hem, but genially it's a very neutral color scheme. audio is Japanese PCM 2.0 dual-mono with optional English subtitles. The track is clean and well-balances, the score from Keitaro Miho and Ichiro Tomita nicely complimenting the at times surreal film as it starts out poppy and progressively gets darker and weirder.
Extras start off with a new Audio Commentary by critic and author Samm Deighan (2025) that explores the themes of the film, it's feminist slant, visual flourishes and much much more. We also get a 20-min New interview with editor Kunihiko Ukai (2025) who speaks about he director being blacklisted, how he came to work with him, and the director's shooting and editing style. We also get the 3-min Trailer.
The single-disc release arrives in a clear, full-height Scanavo keepcase with a Reversible Wrap featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sam Smith. This limited edition set also includes the Removable Obi Strip, plus a Limited Edition 20-Page Illustrated Booklet with new writing by Jasper Sharp by way of the 'Sorrow, Sadness and the Sweet Smell of Excess' essay, an archival review of the film, cast and crew credits, plus notes about the transfer.
Special Features:
- Audio commentary by critic and author Samm Deighan (2025)
- New interview with editor Kunihiko Ukai (2025) (19:54)
- Trailer (2:55)
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sam Smith
- Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Jasper Sharp and an archival review of the film
Screenshots from the Radiance Films Blu-ray:
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