Found in: More Than Miyazaki
Belladonna of Sadness

Belladonna of Sadness

classified 18 S

More Than Miyazaki - Japanese Anime Season

Film

Please note: This was screened in Nov 2017

Director
Eiichi Yamamoto
Cast
Tatsuya Nakadai, Katsuyuki Itô, Aiko Nagayama
Details
87 mins, Subtitled, 1973, Japan

One of the great lost masterpieces of Japanese anime, Belladonna of Sadness is a psychedelic, erotic experiment that has been hailed as one of the most innovative and imaginative animated films of all time.

Made by Mushi Productions, the makers of Astroboy, their final film was a last throw of the dice for the studio - and the huge reduction in budget resulted in a gorgeous, sensual watercolour style. It's a riff on the story of Joan of Arc and Satanism and witchcraft in the middle ages, focusing on a peasant girl who makes a pact with the devil after a violent assault.

Definitely not one for the easily offended, it features an amazing Japanese psych rock soundtrack that, along with the far out animation, is sure to blow your mind. Don't miss this very rare chance to see a true one-off.


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