The men who surround and torment the young protagonist (demanding teacher, owner of the company that rapes his own daughter, despotic and uncompromising father) are opposed to women (victims of men) as embodiment of salvation.
Direction
Shindō's suffocating framing traps you in Ryoko's nightmare.
Acting
Nobuko Otowa's wordless suffering is genuinely harrowing.
Sound
The absence of score amplifies every breath and creak.
Director
Kaneto Shindō
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shindō filmed this during a period of intense productivity at age 67, following his acclaimed 'The Life of Chikuzan.'
The film channels the 'angura' underground theater movement's raw physicality, with Hideo Kanze bringing his avant-garde credentials to the abusive teacher role.
JP
