Review of Woman in the Dunes (1964) by Jason F — 13 Mar 2009

The first film, Woman in the Dunes, is a beautiful example of cinematography. Just in the opening scenes with the entomologist walking on the beach was like seeing a painting brought to life. You quickly forget that's its filmed in black and white and you get lost in how the shots are set up and cut. It looked to me like a painting hanging in a modern musuem with a button on the side. After pushing the button the painting starts to move and breath.

Woman in the Dunes is truly stunning with a pleasing aesthetic style brought in by Teshigahara to a deep cerebral quality in the story from Abe's influence. When you blend these two qualities together, you get a film for your artistic sensbilities and your mind. I haven't seen such a even mix until seeing this movie. I can't think of too many films, Japanese or otherwise, that can create it.

Not a lot of time or money went into it. Each actor had to work hard to make it work. Usually in films you have a director who ignores the writer during the filming. Not so here. Teshigahara and Abe worked as close together as a married couple. That gives the viewer something that transcends budgets and clockwatching and takes your own a journey into the writer's and director's mind to create a single vision.

This is a great set for a low price from Criterion. You get 4 discs. You get 3 movies, Pitfall, Woman in the Dunes, and The Face of Another. The 4th disc contains an interesting documentary on how director Teshigahara worked with novelist Abe Kobo to bring Abe's unique vision to life. There are thoughtful interviews with John Nathan (author of the Mishima Yukio biography), Sato Tadao (revered Japanese film critc), and Donald Richie, as well as others.

Also on the 4th disc is Tokyo 1958 which I watched first. After reading The Donald Richie Reader and reading in the back that Richie plays a G.I. in that short film, I had to see it. At the very beginning you see Richie looking at Ukiyo-e to buy on a Tokyo sidewalk. Its a rare comedic performance from Richie. The rest of the short shows marriages, camera production, an amature singing contest, and go-go dancers at some night club back in the swinging sixties.

(my full review will be available on Friday night or sometime Saturday after I watch all three films and finish the shorts and the documentary.).

Buy this for Woman in the Dunes and all the extras, even if you don't like the other two films, its worth it for that one film alone, even for $50 to $60.