Nikkatsu Roman Porno Recommendations to Distributors - Blu-ray Forum

Takuma · 09-25-2024, 02:01 PM

Recommended Films with a Quirky Drama / Slice of Life flavour (Available in HD)

Delicate Skillful Fingers (白い指の戯れ) (1972)
Often considered the first truly great Roman Porno picture, this exceedingly stylish metropolitan tale is the perfect starting point to newcomers. Hiroko Isayama stars as an innocent girl who falls in love with a professional pickpocket and learns the trade. Directed by future action maestro Toru Murakawa at the height of his creativity, based on a terrific Tatsumi Kumashiro script, it could be described to modern viewers as the Tony Scott / Quentin Tarantino pairing of the 70s, plus the film features the greatest musical score ever committed to a Roman Porno picture. Roman Porno films don't get cooler than this!

Circuit of Sorrow (Love and Death at Fuji Speedway) (哀愁のサーキット) (1972)
Another highly rewarding Toru Murakawa film, this true account is one of the most unique projects ever conceived in the Roman Porno line. Based on a real life romance between a race driver and a pop star, this is another incredibly stylish film, and features one of the greatest soundtracks of the 70s (not many Roman Porno films were accompanied by a soundtrack LP at the time of their release, but this was). Also, it’s the only Roman Porno car racing film! This and Delicate Skillful Fingers are better and more stylish than almost any of the later films Murakawa did.

Love Hunter: Lust (恋の狩人　欲望) (1973)
Director Seiichiro Yamaguchi was arrested and trialled for obscenity when he released Love Hunter in 1972. He responded by making this angry, poetic and ultra-political follow-up film about a stripper (anti-establishment icon Mari Tanaka) arrested on similar charges. A hugely interesting critique on the Japanese legal system, the hypocrisy of the authorities, and prejudice against anyone, particularly women, who challenge established conservative values.

Woman's Trail: Wet Path (おんなの細道　濡れた海峡) (1980)
A beautifully melancholic film about middle aged people wandering aimlessly in snowy coastal towns after losing their loved ones. A mature, atypical Roman Porno film depicting the passing of time. Wong Kar Wai fans should feel at home.

Rape Ceremony (暴行儀式) (1980)
An intelligent, gritty youth drama with broken chronology, hidden under a horrendous misleading title (it should actually be Assault Ceremony). It’s about two generations of misguided young men: a former biker gang who disbanded under police pressure, and a group of fresh high school graduates, who intended to join the gang, now stalking and attacking their former idols who betrayed their hopes. Written by one of Japanese cinema’s all time best writers, Haruhiko Arai, and directed by Kichitaro Negishi, this masterpiece feels very much like an Art Theater Guild film. The 2nd best Roman Porno of all time IMO. Just change the title!

Crazed Fruit (狂った果実) (1981)
Another excellent Kichitaro Negishi / Haruhiko Arai picture, this time a loose updating of the 50s Sun Tribe classic of the same name. It’s less political, more intimate and more psychological with Negishi’s trademark complex characters, superb lensing with plenty of handheld street cinematography, terrific performances, and a great use of pop music. Again, feels like an Art Theater Guild film. You can find the fantastic theme song by "Alice" on YouTube (search for 狂った果実(Live ver.)

Red Violation (赤い暴行) (1981)
This low-key rock band docudrama following the real life 80s rock band Devils is not only one of the most unique Roman Porno productions of all time, it’s also one of the best rock band films ever made. And, it features one hell of a soundtrack! It's a film that could easily have been produced by ATG.

Jealousy Game (ジェラシー・ゲーム) (1982)
Yoichi Higashi’s psychological road movie about a middle aged couple (Yosuke Natsuki & Toei star Reiko Oshida) travelling in Hokkaido by Harley Davidson when they get caught up in a jealous younger couple’s relationship games. Breezy, intelligent and well acted by a strictly mainstream cast, this was one of the Eros daisaku projects within Roman Porno, intended to bridge the gap between Roman Porno and mainstream cinema. Written by Akiko Tanaka, one of the few female Roman Porno writers.

+ Please make this available in HD (HD master might exist, but I'm not aware of)

Midnight Fairy (真夜中の妖精) (1973)
A desperate young man ditched by his girlfriend hooks up with a mentally challenged prostitute. This is a superb arthouse Roman Porno: poignant, visually stylish, and features lots of great 1970s footage filmed on location on streets and in small bars. The film also never feels pretentious: it's fun, playful, fast paced and full of colourful characters from hookers to trans people and everything in between.

Beauty’s Exotic Dance: Torture (発禁本「美人乱舞」より　責める！) (1977)
The final and best film in Noboru Tanaka's Mad Love trilogy, a haunting psychological examination of love and obsession. It's namely an S&M film, but Tanaka is more interested in the mental aspect of an S&M relationship, and its consequences on both body and mind, than exploitation. Unlike the typical genre fair, this is set mainly outdoors in freezing cold snowy landscapes. Probably Tanaka’s best film and the most accomplished S&M themed movie by Nikkatsu (unlike the Naomi Tani junk they’re better known for).

Pink Hip Girl (桃尻娘　ピンク・ヒップ・ガール) (1978)
A major turning point in the Roman Porno series, this incredibly breezy and likeable youth film / road movie started a new era where Nikkatsu was trying to turn Roman Porno into a mainstream trend. One of the best Roman Porno pictures, easily, and earned director Koyu Ohara a reputation as Japan’s top “pop-art director”.

Fujunna kankei (不純な関係) (1984)
Roman Porno vending machine Shogoro Nishimura surprises with late work that I'd consider his best Roman Porno picture (he directed nearly 100). It's an incredibly well written, superbly directed and acted marriage drama about a wife (Ako) who discovers his husband is cheating on her with a younger beauty (Natsuko Yamamoto). Her attempts to make sense of it, and perhaps get even, result in a narrative that going against every pink film cliche in the most refreshing way. A breath of fresh air in the genre. The real stand out is though is Ako, the underrated, eccentric Shuji Terayama protege whose career was a mixture of Roman Porno, Arthouse Guild, Toei, Shochiku, and Toho films.

I could have made the list even longer, but had to draw a line somewhere...

09-25-2024, 02:01 PM	#2
Takuma Senior Member Member since:Dec 2011 Location:Japan	Recommended Films with a Quirky Drama / Slice of Life flavour (Available in HD) Delicate Skillful Fingers (白い指の戯れ) (1972) Often considered the first truly great Roman Porno picture, this exceedingly stylish metropolitan tale is the perfect starting point to newcomers. Hiroko Isayama stars as an innocent girl who falls in love with a professional pickpocket and learns the trade. Directed by future action maestro Toru Murakawa at the height of his creativity, based on a terrific Tatsumi Kumashiro script, it could be described to modern viewers as the Tony Scott / Quentin Tarantino pairing of the 70s, plus the film features the greatest musical score ever committed to a Roman Porno picture. Roman Porno films don't get cooler than this! Circuit of Sorrow (Love and Death at Fuji Speedway) (哀愁のサーキット) (1972) Another highly rewarding Toru Murakawa film, this true account is one of the most unique projects ever conceived in the Roman Porno line. Based on a real life romance between a race driver and a pop star, this is another incredibly stylish film, and features one of the greatest soundtracks of the 70s (not many Roman Porno films were accompanied by a soundtrack LP at the time of their release, but this was). Also, it’s the only Roman Porno car racing film! This and Delicate Skillful Fingers are better and more stylish than almost any of the later films Murakawa did. Love Hunter: Lust (恋の狩人　欲望) (1973) Director Seiichiro Yamaguchi was arrested and trialled for obscenity when he released Love Hunter in 1972. He responded by making this angry, poetic and ultra-political follow-up film about a stripper (anti-establishment icon Mari Tanaka) arrested on similar charges. A hugely interesting critique on the Japanese legal system, the hypocrisy of the authorities, and prejudice against anyone, particularly women, who challenge established conservative values. Woman's Trail: Wet Path (おんなの細道　濡れた海峡) (1980) A beautifully melancholic film about middle aged people wandering aimlessly in snowy coastal towns after losing their loved ones. A mature, atypical Roman Porno film depicting the passing of time. Wong Kar Wai fans should feel at home. Rape Ceremony (暴行儀式) (1980) An intelligent, gritty youth drama with broken chronology, hidden under a horrendous misleading title (it should actually be Assault Ceremony). It’s about two generations of misguided young men: a former biker gang who disbanded under police pressure, and a group of fresh high school graduates, who intended to join the gang, now stalking and attacking their former idols who betrayed their hopes. Written by one of Japanese cinema’s all time best writers, Haruhiko Arai, and directed by Kichitaro Negishi, this masterpiece feels very much like an Art Theater Guild film. The 2nd best Roman Porno of all time IMO. Just change the title! Crazed Fruit (狂った果実) (1981) Another excellent Kichitaro Negishi / Haruhiko Arai picture, this time a loose updating of the 50s Sun Tribe classic of the same name. It’s less political, more intimate and more psychological with Negishi’s trademark complex characters, superb lensing with plenty of handheld street cinematography, terrific performances, and a great use of pop music. Again, feels like an Art Theater Guild film. You can find the fantastic theme song by "Alice" on YouTube (search for 狂った果実(Live ver.) Red Violation (赤い暴行) (1981) This low-key rock band docudrama following the real life 80s rock band Devils is not only one of the most unique Roman Porno productions of all time, it’s also one of the best rock band films ever made. And, it features one hell of a soundtrack! It's a film that could easily have been produced by ATG. Jealousy Game (ジェラシー・ゲーム) (1982) Yoichi Higashi’s psychological road movie about a middle aged couple (Yosuke Natsuki & Toei star Reiko Oshida) travelling in Hokkaido by Harley Davidson when they get caught up in a jealous younger couple’s relationship games. Breezy, intelligent and well acted by a strictly mainstream cast, this was one of the Eros daisaku projects within Roman Porno, intended to bridge the gap between Roman Porno and mainstream cinema. Written by Akiko Tanaka, one of the few female Roman Porno writers. + Please make this available in HD (HD master might exist, but I'm not aware of) Midnight Fairy (真夜中の妖精) (1973) A desperate young man ditched by his girlfriend hooks up with a mentally challenged prostitute. This is a superb arthouse Roman Porno: poignant, visually stylish, and features lots of great 1970s footage filmed on location on streets and in small bars. The film also never feels pretentious: it's fun, playful, fast paced and full of colourful characters from hookers to trans people and everything in between. Beauty’s Exotic Dance: Torture (発禁本「美人乱舞」より　責める！) (1977) The final and best film in Noboru Tanaka's Mad Love trilogy, a haunting psychological examination of love and obsession. It's namely an S&M film, but Tanaka is more interested in the mental aspect of an S&M relationship, and its consequences on both body and mind, than exploitation. Unlike the typical genre fair, this is set mainly outdoors in freezing cold snowy landscapes. Probably Tanaka’s best film and the most accomplished S&M themed movie by Nikkatsu (unlike the Naomi Tani junk they’re better known for). Pink Hip Girl (桃尻娘　ピンク・ヒップ・ガール) (1978) A major turning point in the Roman Porno series, this incredibly breezy and likeable youth film / road movie started a new era where Nikkatsu was trying to turn Roman Porno into a mainstream trend. One of the best Roman Porno pictures, easily, and earned director Koyu Ohara a reputation as Japan’s top “pop-art director”. Fujunna kankei (不純な関係) (1984) Roman Porno vending machine Shogoro Nishimura surprises with late work that I'd consider his best Roman Porno picture (he directed nearly 100). It's an incredibly well written, superbly directed and acted marriage drama about a wife (Ako) who discovers his husband is cheating on her with a younger beauty (Natsuko Yamamoto). Her attempts to make sense of it, and perhaps get even, result in a narrative that going against every pink film cliche in the most refreshing way. A breath of fresh air in the genre. The real stand out is though is Ako, the underrated, eccentric Shuji Terayama protege whose career was a mixture of Roman Porno, Arthouse Guild, Toei, Shochiku, and Toho films. I could have made the list even longer, but had to draw a line somewhere...

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