Review of In the Realm of the Senses (1976) by Brian E — 12 Jun 2009

A classic that ranks among other boundary-pushing art films like "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover", "9 Songs", and "The Dreamers", this is also one of the most legendary tales told in Japan.

Ironically enough, this film has been banned in its native country since its release due to its refusal of censorship. Like Bertolucci's "Last Tango in Paris", most of the pivotal dialogue in the film takes place during several acts of closely-filmed explicit sex.

You decide if unsimulated sex in films is wrong or should be banned, but my take personally is that art is art. To defend my point, NC-17 was the rating conjured in 1990 to draw the clear line between art and pornography.

. But whatever, this film is extravagant, with finely-tuned art direction and pacing. It takes a savage true story, and unfolds it with the necessary innocence that it seemingly lacked, while exploring the missing boundaries of sexual obsession and love.

If you want a slice of important cinematic history, add this to your list - but fair warning: it's extreme, explicit, and abhorrent.