Overview: In the aftermath of World War II, a writer’s love affair with another woman drives his wife mad with distrust. Realizing his errors, he tries all he can to save her from literally losing her mind.

Kohei Oguri’s haunting adaptation of the novel by Toshio Shimao is shot in a hyperreal style that is equal parts painterly and unflinching.

Featuring striking set design, powerful lead performances and a vivid evocation of small-town life in postwar Japan, The Sting of Death won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival while stars Ittoku Kishibe and Keiko Matsuzaka won numerous awards for their performances.

Radiance Films is proud to present this remarkable film on Blu-ray for the first time in the world.

Blu-ray Verdict: A family is on the verge of breakdown because of infidelity, the consequences of which hit hard both the husband and the wife.

The cinematography is really quite good and highlights the contrast between the characters. Some weird shots every now and then appear a bit too symbolic, almost nonsensical in nature, and the same applies to the dialogues. I guess this serves a purpose, because it is frustrating to see this couple failing to be direct in conversation and always hiding behind lies and tantrums.

Kohei Oguri’s later Nemuru Otoko is more spiritual and mystical leaning towards kitsch. This one is darker, exploring the manic-depression of excessive clinging and the bleak consequences of constant psycho-terror.

The pace here is quite slow, but I was never bored throughout because there is a constant underlying tension and survival doesn’t seem to be a priority for the characters. Overall, recommended to get a glimpse of marital life in a very traditional Japan in the early 90s.

Special Features:
Documentary on the Japanese film renaissance of the 1990s featuring interviews with Kohei Oguri, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Kaneto Shindo and others (Hubert Niogret, 2011, 52 mins)
Interview with film scholar Hideki Maeda (2023)
Trailer
Newly translated English subtitles
Reversible sleeve featuring designs based on original posters
Limited edition booklet featuring a newly translated interview with director Kohei Oguri
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

www.radiancefilms.co.uk