Blumhouse Audition (1999). Worse gender/sexuality/relationship politics, despite having 30 years to think it over. Actually also somehow has significantly less style and takes fewer risks. Inde Navarrette is innocent however; it's simply not her fault. She's very good and I hope she gets further opportunities.

Now THIS is just about a perfect film. Expertly crafted and presented; there isn't a single frame of this I would change. Beautiful, immediately captivating, and deeply moving. I'm convinced Shindo was a god with very, very few peers.

There is a popular show that has been airing late at night in Japan for 20 years, called "Zenryokuzaka". Each episode is a POV shot of a woman running, usually up a very steep hill. The camera makes sure to linger on long, unbroken close-ups of the sweaty women, panting and breathing very heavily. Anyway, this movie is basically that + excessive violence and panty shots. Bravo Mr. Sono!

A *lot* happens in this movie, much of it puzzling, shocking, and compelling. Tons of heavy psycho sexual, gender subtext to chew on. Probably need a rewatch to absorb it all to be honest. And yet the craziest thing in the whole movie is the Aunt Sally (Phew's band) track "すべて売り物" needledrop around the halfway mark. Does he know ball? Absolutely insane choice that barely even works. Respect sir