Love and Betrayal in Tokyo

Read Time:3 Minute, 37 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Shape of Night (Yoru no henrin)
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Genre: Crime, Drama
Year Released: 1964, 2024 Radiance Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 49m
Director(s): Noboru Nakamura
Writer(s): Toshidi Gondo, Kyoko Ohta
Cast: Miyuki Kuwano, Mikijiro Hira, Keisuke Sonoi, Masuyo Iwamoto, Misako Tominaga, Bunta Sugawara, Isao Kimura, Yoshiko Hiromura, Shinji Tanaka
Where To Watch: available April 30, 2024; pre-order here www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: As we dive into the neon-drenched streets of Tokyo through Noboru Nakamura's THE SHAPE OF NIGHT, we uncover a city torn between glamour and gloom. This 1964 crime drama, a hallmark of the Japanese New Wave, delivers a riveting snapshot of a transformative cinematic era. It charts Yoshie Nomoto's poignant transformation into urban disenchantment, guided by Miyuki Kuwano's performance.

THE SHAPE OF NIGHT tracks the chaotic journey of Yoshie alongside Eiji Kitami, a role portrayed with fiery intensity by Mikijirô Hira. As a yakuza struggling under the weight of debt, Eiji draws Yoshie into the dark world of prostitution—a temporary solution that permanently alters her path. This narrative navigates their complex relationship against the scrutiny of the world around them.

Nakamura crafts an atmospheric film, blending subtle soundscapes with moments of silence to deepen the emotional weight. Complemented by Tôichirô Narushima’s striking cinematography, Tokyo is portrayed as a city between dreams and despair. This visual and auditory parallel enhances the story and highlights its characters' inner conflicts.

Screenwriters Toshidi Gondo and Kyoko Ohta craft a narrative that blends past and present, enhancing Yoshie's storyline while embedding critiques within the film's fabric. This meshing of timelines adds to the viewing experience, making each scene pivotal to the overarching story.

Kuwano’s portrayal of Yoshie is genuinely compelling. Her passionate performance transcends spoken words, painting her struggles across her expressions. Her intricate relationship with Eiji and Fujii creates a web of emotions—from love and dependence to a resigned acceptance of her fate—that draws the audience deeper into her reality.

Set in the 1960s yet resonating with timeless themes, THE SHAPE OF NIGHT mirrors modern concerns, urging viewers to reflect on the enduring influence of personal decisions and the stark realities they can impose.

THE SHAPE OF NIGHT is a profound exploration of human emotions and the dynamics around us. It blends classic storytelling with unique cinematic techniques and offers an essential viewing for anyone intrigued by the evolution of film. Its recent restoration and presentation by Radiance Films revitalizes Nakamura’s vision, promising its impact will echo with future audiences, securing its status as a meaningful, evocative piece of cinema.

Bonus Materials
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
High-Definition digital transfer
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Visual essay on the artistic upheavals at Shochiku studios during the 1960s by Tom Mes
Trailer
New and improved English subtitle translation
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Chuck Stephens
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip, leaving packaging free of certificates and markings
More to be confirmed!

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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