Genre Defying and Just As Intriguing

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MOVIE REVIEW
Sexual Drive
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2021 (International Film Festival Rotterdam), 2022 (wider release)
Runtime: 1h 10m
Director(s): Kôta Yoshida
Writer(s): Kôta Yoshida
Cast: Manami Hashimoto, Ryô Ikeda, Mukau Nakamura
Where To Watch: Premieres via Virtual Cinema, VOD & Digital on 4/22 from Film Movement

So first things first, if you haven’t seen TAMPOPO, please do yourself a favor and go check it out. Secondly, this was a spiritual successor in a way, although not even close at the same time. “A Japanese triptych about sex, aphrodisiac foods, and secret desires.” A triptych is a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together.

The film is more sensual than sexual, but that doesn’t change that it makes you look at food in a way you never have and likely never will again. It goes far beyond that, though; beautifully shot, the stories are woven together in a brilliantly simple way.

I’m personally not familiar with any of director Kôta Yoshida’s other films; if you are, I would love to hear from you on any suggestions you may have. One of the most exciting things I’ve noticed while doing international film reviews is the pure number of Japanese artists who got their feet wet acting in some iteration of KAMEN RIDER (think POWER RANGERS, VR TROOPERS, BEETLEBORGS, etc.) Although a handful started in the American versions, such as Bryan Cranston and Rose McIver, the list of Japanese artists that have gone on to star in more significant films seems to be significantly larger. This is at least the third film this year that I’ve found that had a lead with a connection to Kamden.

One of the things I appreciated about this film was that it didn’t shy away from being dark and perverse. You don’t see that a lot in American filmmaking; they just went all out and let their flag fly here. Some scenes legitimately caught me off guard, but I was obsessed with them simultaneously. It had me hooked to the extent that I had difficulty explaining exactly why. A film like this is truly about the experience, and this gives you an experience you’re not soon to forget!

I would recommend this to anyone with an open mind that likes a film that makes you think, especially about what’s more than just the images on the screen. If you want to watch a movie that makes you think about life and its oddities, this is for you. While it may be somewhat taboo in the US, many of the things covered in the movie are far more acceptable in other cultures.

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