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July 20, 2013

Movie Review: Sex Hunter 1980 (1980, Nikkatsu/Impulse/Synapse)

...really gotta hand it to the folks over at the Nikkatsu Film Corporation, during their successful reign of what they have coined 'Roman Porno' (...that's 'romantic pornography'...though, this viewer originally assumed that the 'roman' moniker, referred to a flavor of Roman eroticism, which actually might be understandable, to some, in such an assumption). Most of their productions (...at least, the one's which this viewer has thus far partaken of) have allowed viewers to engage a rather compelling storyline, amidst the graphic sexcapades, which these films are normally known for. And these storylines are, for the most part, interesting enough to captivate and draw the unwary viewer in...until such point that the often graphic & fetish-flavored eroticism kicks in, and hits the viewer with a shock to the system, not unlike that of an ounce of everclear, instantly hitting the brain. And such is the case, once again, with a recently released episode from 1980, called "Sex Hunter"...a torrid tale, made exponentially all the more reflective of the imitable Nikkatsu storytelling style, in that the main character, herself, embraces a subtle innocence...a vulnerable and naive innocence, which is abruptly and shockingly made corrupt, through a trial of eroticism, most outrageous and forbidden...

...Miki, a talented young ballet dancer, finds herself quite elated, in having drawn notice and accolades from a notable dance instructor, after her applause-worthy performance, in a production of Swan Lake. With curiosity aroused, Miki accepts an invitation by the dance instructor, Kaibara, to accompany her, to her seclusive home and dance studio, with hopes of incorporating her talent into a dance troupe, which she is personally and exclusively overseeing. Once at Kaibara's residence, Miki finds herself audience to a recital performance of the dance troupe, which Kaibara soon after, affords her the opportunity to become part of. However, the transpiring events take a most uncomfortably strange and surreal turn, when during an adjoining parlor room sit, Kaibara drugs Miki into a dreamy stupor, fully undresses in front of her, and unveils the dance troupe, once again...who are now all engaged in a flesh-intertwining sex orgy, in the middle of the dance recital room...their varied moans and sighs, a melodic song of intoxicating passion and eroticism...
...unwilling and awkward, at first...despite the drug-induced influence...Miki finds herself seductively drawn into Kaibara's circle of corruption and eroticism...surrendering herself, as well as her virginity, to an ever-intensifying series of sex games and fetish-inclined eroticism, rendered by Kaibara, as well as Kaibara's sinister servant, Kel. As extreme and carnal bondage, rape, forced urine & ejaculate consumption, whipping...and oh yeah, let's not forget the cola enemas...become the 'norm', as far as Miki's abrupt and progressive life-transition, from a picture of pure innocence, to a slave to sexual corruption and humiliation, it becomes suspiciously and underliningly apparent that not only has Kaibara known Miki, long before she introduced herself to her...but also has much more sinister, albeit heavily curtained intentions, in store...
...for most knowledgeable genre aficionados, the name of director Toshiharu Ikeda will probably invoke keen and vivid memories of his exquisitely brutal 1988 horror film, "Evil Dead Trap". In that particular film, taking into account, the film's harrowing and unflinching ultra-violence, one cannot help but take note of Toshiharu's affection and embrace of the visceral and graphic films of Dario Argento. However, such influence can be seen further back in his career, as the equally unflinching and no-holds-barred "Sex Hunter" notably bears a somewhat passing resemblance to Dario Argento's masterpiece of ultimate horror, 1977's "Suspiria", only with extreme eroticism, substituting for the witchcraft and bloodletting. Storyline not withstanding, the clever and influenced moments in the film's overly brilliant lighting & color, striking cinematography, as well as architectural preponderances and the relishably pulpish character performances, will no doubt tantalize and strike most familiar, viewers with that distinct and unmistakable, Argento-esque flavor...
...being his most extreme production (...for it's time, as well as for the expectations...which even more prominently places this in clear and distinct 'exploitation' territory), director Ikeda was genuinely asked to 'tone it down' for his follow-up film...and as extreme as "Sex Hunter" assuredly is, one might well find it difficult to define whether or not one actually 'enjoys' this viewing experience. For lack of a better description, this viewer must admittedly say that he was 'wowed' by the imagery herein, in the sense that there was a measure of revulsion, to be sure...but in the same sense, it was...well, it was so damn hard to look away. If there is anything to take away from this film, as far as 'enjoyment', per say, it may well par down to the irresistible intensity and exploitativeness of the production...

...then again, much like the Miki character...initially naive and reluctant...was ultimately seduced and corrupted, in the course of the film's events...well, let's face it: in this viewer's book...Bravo, Director Toshiharu...uh, you got me, and you got me good...

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