Belladonna of Sadness

I found I had a really tough time deciding how to start this post. How does one even explain Belladonna of Sadness? Pardon my French, but it's fucking bizarre. Produced by Osamu Tezuka and directed by Eiichi Yamamoto in 1973, this Japanese animated gem is striking; equal parts erotic, beautiful, and disturbing. Keep in mind this was made by the same director who did KIMBA THE WHITE LION. A Japanese children's show that Disney later used as the basis (or carbon copy) to the Lion King. Excuse me? It's totally baffling these two things came from the same director. Can we all pause and appreciate what a curveball that is?

Right so, let's talk about this the best we can since there's a lot going on and you just kind of gape at the screen for an hour and thirty three minutes. In summation, a young woman and her fiance are totally in love and on their wedding night she gets raped by the town lord. Lots of tears and trauma ensue (naturally), and she decides to make a pact with a rather phallic devil in order to take revenge. When I say "rather" I mean things are pretty obvious. "You're so small!" She exclaims as she holds him in her hands. A couple rubs later and whaddya know, he's grown. In fact, this whole movie is basically a psychedelic sexual romp. It's rather interesting and beautiful to watch, a mixture of watercolours and stills and very vivid imagery. 

A plethora of colours, oddly enough I left the movie thinking, "well, that was rather depressing." It's a story about a woman extensively repressed and exploited by a feudal society. Her name is Jeanne, and her fate is eerily similar to that of Joan of Arc's. Coincidence? Hmm. The film also walks a very dangerous line between being over-the-top pornographic and beautifully animated. This is supposed to be uncomfortable. This is supposed make you feel uneasy. It's avant-garde and I like it.

Jeanne is also GORGEOUS. Oddly enough I don't think I've ever been so attracted to an animated being. A long and slender frame with big eyes and voluminous hair that I can only dream of having, Jeanne is perfection. Especially after she gets her revenge on the town lord and a little bit, ahem, riled up, does she become even more interesting. For whatever reason her hair changes colour in every scene too. Go figure. 

Also to note, THE MUSIC. A crazy psychedelic rock score produced by Masahiko Satoh, in combination with the practically seizure inducing scenes, is such an obvious '70s delight. As I'm typing this I'm coyly smiling too since everyone knows exactly what I'm talking about and it's actually pretty cool to watch. Even go see it just for that.

I was lucky enough to view this for the first time since it was released to North American audiences a few weeks ago. I can see how this may not sit well with a modern-day crowd as it's really weird in some of the scenes not to mention with flashing colours making it look like a massive acid trip. Besides all that though, it's a film that really speaks to the merging of Western and Eastern influences. As if one applied watercolours to the illustrative genius of Beardsley mixed with the producer being an anime legend, this movie is like nothing I've seen before. Tragically, shortly after the release of this movie, the production house that created it, Mushi, went bankrupt. It's nice to see it's finally getting it's spot in the in the limelight, even if it's at least from the die-hard movie buffs out there.

Are you going to like Belladonna of Sadness? I'm really not sure. Honestly, I don't even know if I liked it. I respect it for what it is, and I think it's a landmark of Japanese cinema. It's something that I definitely believe should be watched, if anything for the cultural significance it has. 

Top 5 Essential '70s Horrors that Any Self-Respecting Horror Fan Must Know

Alright folks, I've been on a bit of '70s horror movie binge recently - there's been film festivals in town, random showings of horror flicks, and just general delight at watching some good ol' fashioned gore at home.

I thought it would be so much fun to do a post about some of my top, essential 1970's horrors that I think everybody should definitely watch. There's something just so goofy and entertaining about watching old-school gory cinema, not to mention the wonderful throwback to the costume design and set decoration that's so great to see from that era.

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - (1974) 

This is such a staple, but genuinely a horror that strikes so much unsettling fear, nnngh.  The movie isn't too long, and not much happens for the longest time besides building a gradual unease among the viewer. 

The movie is super simple: a group of kids are travelling throughout the backwoods of Texas and run across a family of cannibals that go on a killing spree, chainsaws and all. The plot is weak but decent, a staple for slashers to come. What makes this movie such a gem and such a classic is the building of anxiety and the sensory overload experience; the rich colours, the eerie blacks and darkness. This film traumatizes near the end, after the initial build-up some of the scenes are so sadistic and so raw, you can't help but stare as the mania unfolds. This movie is definitely a landmark for any horror movie buff. 

Uh, also, near the end the chase scene between Leatherface  and one of the girls is beyond insane. As far as I recall he chases her around for an obscenely long amount of time and  you wonder how the hell she keeps on running. Bless her gazelle-like qualities.

Pssst... for all you fashion readers, the outfits the girls wear in the movie are unreal. The red shorts and the lace up halters, such treats and gems. Uffffffff! 

2. Susperia - 1977

Yet again, a super simple plot, but creepy nightmare that comes to life where you simply cannot look away. Susperia is an Italian masterpiece that revolves around an American student that travels to Germany to attend an exclusive ballet school. Once she gets there, students start to disappear, murders occur, and there's just gruesome violence all around.

Filmed in insanely bright technicolour, and a soundtrack that won't ever stop pounding directly at you LOUDLY, you can't help but feel a sense of nervousness that resonates with you long after the movie is over. Seriously though - the colours are so in-your-face and murders so vivid, this is truly a orgy of visuals. 

3. I Drink your Blood - 1970

A group of hippies go nuts on an teeny tiny sleepy town and a young boy decides to get revenge - with menacing results. 

This movie is such a B classic. I saw it at a exploitation movie festival a few months ago and couldn't stop grinning. It was so goofy and over-the top, it was genuinely beyond awesome. Made for audiences going to drive-ins for exploitation flicks, the movie is sleazy and ridiculous, but it doesn't stop you from having fun and enjoying the ride. The movie definitely has some tense moments, but it's also hilarious; it's definitely a retro classic. I couldn't do a list of 1970s horrors without doing at a least one cheesy but memorable gorefest like I Drink your Blood. I mean seriously, hippies gone rabid and foaming at the mouth? Excuse me? What's not to love? 

4. Dawn of the Dead - 1978

Ah, George A. Romero. The godfather of all zombie movies. This is one of those rare instances where the sequel is actually better than the original. One interesting thing to note about this zombie delight is Romero's super obvious jab at consumerism; a shopping mall filled with mindless zombies stumbling about. I think that's pretty rad - a horror movie with some social commentary and underlying themes that were evident in the '70s and even today.

Unlike some of the other movies on this list, this movie isn't a typical "Oh my God, something is going to pop out from around the corner and spook you" sort of thing, you actually become invested in main characters. Becoming emotionally attached and not wanting them to get gobbled up is what keeps you anxious throughout. 

Sure, the zombies look a bit goofy with the blue facepaint, but Romero is a legend and this movie is a zombie staple that paved the way for many others to come.

5. House (Hausu) - 1977

Right, so. This is one of those indescribable experiences that you're just kind of in awe in while it's happening, and left even more confused about what the hell you just watched afterwards. You don't know why you like it, or why you're grinning, but you definitely know it's something you need to see again. And again. And again. I had the treat of watching this little Japanese psychedelic explosion a few months ago in theatres, and it made absolutely no sense. Who cares though, I've never seen a movie like this before ever and I definitely wasn't anywhere close to bored. 

A bunch of schoolgirls head to an aunt's house in the country and slowly get hacked off one by one. Sounds simple enough, but throw in a demonic cat, a bunch of awkward animation, and scenes that don't make any sense all together, and you've got yourself an experience. It's a horror, it's a comedy, it's a fantasy all packaged up in this absurd cult classic that everyone needs to experience at least once.  

Outraged that I missed something? Or too busy thinking, "Hey, Marta, you're right on the money", let me know what some of your favourite old-school horrors may be.