U.S. DVD Release
Despite protestations from a few whiney goremongers, Asian horror has indelibly left its mark on the world of horror. Whether you enjoy watching them or not, informed horror fans cannot deny the impact films like Ringu, Ju-On, Dark Water and Kairo (Pulse) have had on American horror cinema. Remakes aside, these films have been the inspiration for many new U.S. horror productions and will continue to influence the genre for many years to come.
The new Danger After Dark label from TLA Releasing recognizes the fact that horror isn’t just a “U.S. thing” by bringing horror from all corners of the globe. Their first offering is a wonderful little box set containing Suicide Club, Moon Child and 2LDK. Though the box set may be small, it packs quite a punch with its flagship title Suicide Club; an edgy black-hearted commentary on the decline of traditional Japanese culture.
Now, I’m a huge fan of Asian horror but it’s hard to honestly recommend a film like Suicide Club to “A-Horror newbies”. This film will leave you flustered and grasping for answers that the film refuses to provide. While its subject matter is interesting, those not prepared to look for “deeper meaning” may find themselves walking away from Suicide Club with a bad taste in their mouth. Is it a ghost story? Is it a murder mystery? Are subliminal messages to blame or is it Western culture?
Are you connected to yourself?
When 54 Japanese schoolgirls leap in front of a moving train, it ignites chain reaction that sweeps across Japan. Soon there are hundreds of suicides and a rumor begins to circulate that all of this may be connected to a fabled “Suicide Club”.
Police Detectives Kuroda (Ryo Ishibashi) & Shibusawa (Masatoshi Nagase) are assigned to look into the suicides but nobody expects much as there’s no real clues available. At least not until they come across a mysterious duffel bag containing a massive roll of stitched human skins!
Now the police believe this may possibly be a murder and an investigation begins. Their only leads are a girl that calls herself The Bat (Yoko Kamon) and a child that has been contacting Det. Kuroda. Unfortunately, it’s too little too late when Det. Kuroda arrives at his home to find his Family has fallen victim to this mysterious Suicide Club.
Their only solid lead, The Bat, has been kidnapped by a gang of puppy kicking, kitty stomping glam-pop psychos lead by a Manson-esque character named, Genesis (Rolly).
Could all of this have some connection to the mega popular J-pop girl group, Dessert? Are the subliminal messages hidden on their CD covers to blame? Are Genesis and his gang really the ones responsible for all of the suicides as he claims?
Are you connected to yourself?
Suicide Club is a bit more than your typical “ghost story” though there is undoubtedly a supernatural influence at work. The only problem with this film is that you’re never quite sure who the true enemy really is. Is it Japanese pop culture? Is it the onslaught of Western pop culture? Is it Parents that don’t listen? In my opinion the film is about cultural suicide and the slow “disconnection” we’re experiencing as we depend more and more on technology. Course, it could be as simple as a film about kids killing themselves and a roll of human skin; I’ll leave that up to the viewers.
TLA Releasing presents Suicide Club unrated with a brand spankin’ new anamorphic widescreen (1.85) transfer and it looks wonderful. The only real problem I had with this disc was that it was woefully lacking in the special features department. We’re given a still gallery, a trailer and TLA trailers and nothing more. There’s no “making of” featurettes, interviews, bios or audio commentaries which is a damn shame because this film could have really benefited from the director Sion Sono’s insights.
Suicide Club is an interesting film but not easily grasped in one sitting…actually…I doubt it’d be easy to grasp in many sittings. You’re either going to like the film, love the film or absolutely hate the film. Those of you that require your “hand held” right up until the end credits may find Suicide Club frustrating as there’s really no “end” per say, you’re simply left wondering.
Danger After Dark has a solid start with this box set and I look forward to more quality releases. Hopefully they step up the extras and continue to introduce fans to horror/thrillers from all over the world. Good job guys!
