Unraveling the Mind’s Maze

Read Time:4 Minute, 9 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Dogra Magra
–

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 1988, 2024 Radiance Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 49m
Director(s): Toshio Matsumoto
Writer(s): Toshio Matsumoto, Atsushi Yamatoya, Kyuusaku Yumeno
Cast: Youji Matsuda, Shijaku Katsura, Hideo Murota, Eri Misawa, Leo Morimoto, Jun Haichi, Kaori Kobayashi, Harukazu Kitami
Where To Watch: available October 29, 2024, here: www.radiancefilms.co.uk, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Stepping into the unnerving confines of an asylum in DOGRA MAGRA, Toshio Matsumoto crafts a mind-bending tale of surrealism and psychological intrigue. As viewers, we follow the journey of a young man, Kure Ichiro (Yôji Matsuda) trapped in the throes of amnesia, grappling with his fragmented past and under the mysterious guidance of Dr. Wakabayashi (Hideo Murota) and Dr. Masaki (Shijaku Katsura,) the line between reality and delusion blurs, drawing us deeper into a whirlpool of mental unrest and deceptive clarity.

Tatsuo Suzuki’s cinematography magnifies the psychological layers of the film, offering shots that are as disquieting as they are beautiful. His camera flows through the scenes with a fluidity that mirrors the protagonist's disarray, enveloping the audience in a visual spectacle that pays homage to the avant-garde flair of Matsumoto's earlier films.

Exploration of inherited memory is a standout theme in DOGRA MAGRA. The film posits that the sins of our forebears can haunt and shape our present, weaving a journey of fate and madness that questions the very fabric of identity and reality. This fatalistic dive into psychological inheritance challenges viewers to consider the inescapable shadows of ancestral pasts.

Matsumoto’s ambition sometimes overshadows his execution. Though innovative, his use of diverse narrative styles occasionally disrupts the narrative flow. While artistically, these elements sometimes detach the viewer from the core storyline, impacting the overall pacing and engagement.

The acting ensemble presents a mixed bag of performances. Matsuda, as Kure, occasionally struggles to fully encapsulate the complex turmoil of his character’s mental unraveling. Conversely, Murota excels as Dr. Wakabayashi, injecting a much-needed ambiguity into the film that keeps viewers guessing each therapeutic encounter's reality.

Despite its minor imperfections, DOGRA MAGRA redefines the genre of cinematic storytelling, offering an experience that is as thought-provoking as it is unique. The film’s open-ended finale invites the audience to interpret its complicated layers, leaving us to ponder its insights into truth and perception.

DOGRA MAGRA is an essential watch for those who venture into the avant-garde. It's a complex puzzle that challenges the conventional boundaries of film. It’s an enigma that urges its viewers to explore the deeper, often unsettling truths hidden beneath its surreal veneer.

DOGRA MAGRA is a profound journey into psychological and surreal. This film is not just a story to be watched but a mystery to be unraveled, offering a unique exploration into the maze of the human psyche and the haunting specter of inherited curses.

Bonus Materials
LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
High-definition digital transfer supervised by director of photography Tatsuo Suzuki and producer Shuji Shibata
Audio commentary by director Toshio Matsumoto (2003
Interview with Toshio Matsumoto (2003, 21 mins)
A visual essay by programmer and curator Julian Ross (2024)
Instructions on Ahodara Sutra (a popular Japanese chant delivered by Dr. Masaki in the film) by legendary street performer Hiroshi Sakano (16 mins)
Trailer
New and improved English subtitles
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Time Tomorrow
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Hirofumi Sakamoto, president of the Postwar Japan Moving Image Archive and author Jasper Sharp on screenwriter Atsushi Yamatoya, plus an interview with producer Shuji Shibata and Matsumoto's director's state
Limited edition of 3000 copies, presented in full-height Scanavo packaging with removable OBI strip, leaving packaging free of certificates and markings

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[photo courtesy of RADIANCE FILMS, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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