Survivor Ballads: Three Films by Shohei Imamura (Arrow Academy) - December 08, 2020

[MifuneFan]

Pre-order at Diabolik DVD

Throughout the 1980s, Shohei Imamura (The Pornographers, Profound Desires of the Gods), a leading figure of the Japanese New Wave era of the 1960s, cemented his international reputation as one of the most important directors of his generation with a series of films that all competed at Cannes to great critical acclaim. This exclusive box set from Arrow Academy presents restored versions of three late career classics from the legendary filmmaker.

Based on an ancient folktale, The Ballad of Narayama (1983) was the first of two works from the director to win the prestigious Cannes Palme d’Or. Imamura’s magnum opus depicts the members of an extended farming family eking out their existence in the mountainous north of Japan against the backdrop of the changing seasons before village lore decrees they make the sacrifice of abandoning their aged mother on the top of a nearby mountain when she reaches her seventieth year.

Making its HD debut, Zegen (1987) takes a satirical look at Japan’s prewar colonial expansion through the unscrupulous eyes of its flesh-peddler antihero as he establishes a prostitution enterprise across Southeast Asia.

Finally, the harrowing Black Rain (1989) details the precarious existence of a household of atomic bomb survivors as, five years after being caught in the blast of Hiroshima, they struggle to find a husband for their 25-year-old niece.

These three works epitomise the director’s almost documentary style of filmmaking, exposing the vulgar yet vibrant and instinctive underbelly of Japanese society through a sympathetic focus on peasants, prostitutes, criminal lowlife and other marginalised figures to explore the schism between the country’s timeless premodern traditions and the modern face it projects to the world.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• Restored High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of all three films
• Original lossless Japanese PCM 1.0 mono soundtracks
• Optional English subtitles
• Brand new audio commentaries on all three films by Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp
• Brand new, in-depth appreciations of all three films by Japanese cinema expert Tony Rayns
• Alternate colour ending to Black Rain, shot by Imamura but removed from the film shortly before its release
• Archival interviews on Black Rain with actress Yoshiko Tanaka and assistant director Takashi Miike
• Multiple trailers and image galleries
• Original Japanese press kits for The Ballad of Narayama and Black Rain (BD-ROM content)
• Limited edition 60-page booklet containing new writing by Tom Mes
• Limited edition packaging featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella

[Dk8819]

This looks great. Still really bummed I missed out on the Eureka box set but this at least has 2 films not in that set.

[bergman864]

This is definitely on my radar.

[Aunt Peg]

So glad to me able to replace my creaky Black Rain DVD. I've never seen Zegen so that is another release for me to celebrate this release.

[Rozay]

What a massive release from Arrow. Already pre-ordered!

[Psychosmeg]

I guess this will be released on Tuesday, so glad I preordered along with Fellini's Casanova.

[DukeTogo84]

Wish this set was getting a bit more buzz. These are great films, especially Black Rain. Not sure why they aren't getting a bit more attention.

[styrofoamboats]

I only just heard about this set yesterday. Planning to pick it up when it comes out, but haven't seen any of these movies.

[DukeTogo84]

Got my set over the weekend and scanned through all of the discs and have only watched Zegen fully so far, but it's a truly great set. The films all look better than they have ever looked, and Zegen was restored by Arrow themselves, which bodes well for the future.

The writing in the booklet by Tom Mes was a great read, and overall, it's a great package. This is a must own for Japanese film fans. Can't wait to watch the other two films.

[dkelly26666]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Got my set over the weekend and scanned through all of the discs and have only watched Zegen fully so far, but it's a truly great set. The films all look better than they have ever looked, and Zegen was restored by Arrow themselves, which bodes well for the future.

The writing in the booklet by Tom Mes was a great read, and overall, it's a great package. This is a must own for Japanese film fans. Can't wait to watch the other two films.

Mine's in shipping, it comes tomorrow.

I have the fantastic Eureka/ Masters of Cinema blu ray set, and that Criterion DVD set (plus "The Pornographers" DVD from them).

Now, with this, there's only a couple more of his major films that need a release. "The Eel" needs a new BD.

Anyway, yes, his stuff is great, and was light years ahead of its time in the early works. And he had several later bonafide masterpieces.

[dkelly26666]

Survivor Ballads: Three Films by Shohei Imamura Official Trailer | ARROW - YouTube

[DukeTogo84]

About to watch Ballad of Narayama tonight, but watched Zegen two nights ago and Black Rain last night. I've forgotten how much of a gut punch Black Rain is. It leaves you really questioning the purpose of it all and how we as humans can cause so much pain and destruction. It is truly a quintessential film in cinematic history. It's not a movie I'll be able to watch often, but it's truly groundbreaking.

If you love cinema this set is truly worth your investment.

[styrofoamboats]

I just ordered the set for myself from Deep Discount, they have it for $54.99 right now and there's a 15% code active that can be used (GIFT4ME).

[Aunt Peg]

Doubt that this will receive any press but Sumiko Sakamoto (star of The Ballad of Narayama) has passed away:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiko_Sakamoto

I only just rewatched Narayama again for the umpteenth time a few days ago.

[DukeTogo84]

Originally Posted by Aunt Peg

Doubt that this will receive any press but Sumiko Sakamoto (star of The Ballad of Narayama) has passed away:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumiko_Sakamoto

I only just rewatched Narayama again for the umpteenth time a few days ago.

Thanks for letting us know. She really was amazing in this film and the stand out.

[BluBonnet]

Watched Black Rain on iTunes (I'm assuming they use the same video transfer as this set) and was blown away all over again - hadn't watched the movie since college.

There is something so haunting about the way Imamura uses B&W cinematography...

[DukeTogo84]

Shohei Imamura fans, some good news. Film Movement will be releasing Warm Water Under a Red Bridge on Blu-ray in 2022. Hoping we get the Eel and Pigs and Battleships at some point.

On that note, this set still rocks. One of Arrow's best releases.