Cast
View AllYuki Sumida
as Oyuki
Masahiko Tsugawa
as Kafu Nagai
Kazuyo Asari
as Masago's owner
Daijirô Harada
as Nagai
Haruko Sugimura
as Kafu's Mother
Nobuko Otowa
as Masa
Jun Hamamura
as
Chōichirō Kawarasaki
as Take-san
Jiro Kawarazaki
as
Yoshiko Miyazaki
as Ohisa
Yoshiyuki Omori
as Satoru
Kei Satō
as Detective
Tomomi Seo
as Outa
Rokkō Toura
as Follower
Koichi Ueda
as Middle aged man
Crew
Director
- Kaneto Shindō
Writer
- Kaneto Shindō
Producer
- Jirô Shindô
Reviews
chris_firefly
A late film from Kaneto Shindo, he was 80 when he made this, and there is little to link with his earlier, classic, Onibaba, except perhaps that it is the ladies who are always so busy. There is also a wonderful scene where a trio of gents have gathered to naked naughty pictures and whilst the gorgeous Yuki Sumida is quite naked, there are fully dressed and wearing decorative and rather spooky masks. It is a bitter sweet tale of an older writer and his flings with ladies of the night, culminating with a more regular relationship with the aforementioned Ms Sumida. Very well told with lots of Tokyo period detail and very much skin. Frequent and graceful are the sexual bouts ensure there is never a dull moment and a colourful and thoughtful story excellently portrayed by Shindo.
Jul 15, 2012
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Strange Tale of Oyuki examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kaneto Shindō brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1992, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Strange Tale of Oyuki took approximately 4 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 116 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 136 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1826 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 3 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 79 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1992, when this film was released:
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Strange Tale of Oyuki shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Bad Guy, which focuses more on action than character development, The Strange Tale of Oyuki subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Return to Sender and Lolita's Club explore similar territory, The Strange Tale of Oyuki stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 6, 1992
- Runtime: 1h 56m
