Went to see 1973 film Belladonna of Sadness at a cinema yesterday - it was being shown as the film is being released on home media soon thanks to Cinelicious Pics doing a 4k restoration of it.

Basic plot: a newlywed couple have their lives shattered after the bride is raped in a ritual deflowering - soon after the devil appears to her and she finds an opportunity to not only try to help her husband but to exact revenge. The story is based on Satanism and Witchcraft by Jules Michelet - which I haven't read - but the name of the book should give you an idea of where the story goes!

The film looked absolutely stunning. The animation is amazing - especially compared to animated features of today - most of it consists of scenes that look painted flush with beautiful colours and characters are more illustrative than cookie-cutter which was refreshing. It also had a brilliant soundtrack that felt of its time in the best possible way.

I've not yet mentioned how incredibly explicit the film is. It features a lot of nudity and sex - not a lot is left to the imagination. That being said because of the way it's animated the film does feel like an artwork than gratuitous erotica even if it is totally bizarre at times.

Enough of me trying to describe it - here's a trailer for the restoration that will give you a real sense of it (red band, definitely NSFW! :P):
Source: YouTube


But yes - I really enjoyed it and highly suggest anyone with a love for animation and/or psychedelic film experiences check it out!

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I'll be posting more in due course (!?) as I'm currently watching Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex 1st Gig - about halfway through - which has been very good - and will be seeing the new Makoto Shinkai film "Your Name" and Wild Bunch / Studio Ghibli collaboration "The Red Turtle" next month - I'll be sure to share my thoughts on all three :D

Anyone out there watching anything animated? :P

(This post was last modified: 20/09/2016 02:02 PM by S7*.)