Review of Teruo Ishii's Final Film, 'Blind Beast Vs Killer Dwarf'.
Final work from a relatively recently-deceased master of oddity, not that Japan is short on those, but an interesting pet project based on the writings of Edogawa Rampo - as was the recent 'Rampo Noir' with Tadanobu Asano - this time featuring Shinya Tsukamoto, a bevy of Japanese beauties, some nasty violence, and a great intermingling of two Rampo stories. Interesting stuff. Newly released by Panik House in America on R1 USA DVD, this is a relatively rare example (Stateside) of the less commercial end of his genre work, much needed too.
With a career as a Director starting in the late 1950's, two decades as an incredibly prolific, reasonably popular and effective genre Director, then a decade in mostly TV work, then his final decade in a mini comeback then gradual fade, Teruo Ishii is a cult in his own special way. Although having passed away at a ripe old age just last year, Ishii maintained a passion and interest in film even when suffering what may be termed a mini exile for much of his professional life. Most famously associated with films like 'Joy of Torture', 'Orgies of Edo', and 'Inferno of Torture' in the West (also the material which constituted a recent R2 J Box Set of his work, interestingly), where they're known as films even when the Director of them is still an unfamiliar name, but long associated with the lost classic (soon to be retrieved) 'Horror of Malformed Men', and a Director also responsible for a huge variety of genre cinema along the way.
The variety and prolific nature are often underestimated in Ishii's catalogue, probably part of the reason he is seen as a cult in the West remains within the crossover nature of the Ero Guro (Erotic Grotesque) torture movies, which although similar examples of film are very common, remain something very individual also. In 2001, unknowingly I suspect as a final project as it comes some years before his actual death, Ishii gathered volunteers, trainees, several famous Directors (and fans of Rampo like Shinya Tsukamoto, Sion Sono, legendary actors like Tetsuro Tamba) to put together a pet project, a student piece, a hobby project - the DV exercise in blending two Edogawa Rampo stories into one film called 'Blind Beast Versus Killer Dwarf'.
As a film then, we get the reasonably familiar element of the 'Blind Beast' as given in the classic Yasuzo Masumura film of the same name from 1969 (yes, I have it - not seen it, yet), in which cabaret legend Ranko Mizuki is lured and taken captive by a blind sculptor who's work is strangely realistic. It's reminiscent of the classic horror tale of the Wax Museum as retold a million times, but being Rampo this is a much more existential tale than straight-out shock tale, in which Ranko gradually begins to empathise with the perverse nature of the Blind Beasts fascinations - a parallel which is uncomfortable, perverted and strangely erotic too - who also has a hidden talent as a masseuse which he also puts to good use to seduce young ladies. Intermingled with this tale, the mad Killer Dwarf is on the loose and limbs are turning up in public places - check out the party balloons, odd - and people are going missing in unusual circumstances.
At the head of it all, perhaps most fascinating for me, is Shinya Tsukamoto as Rampo's regular Private Detective character, Akechi. Similarly seen played by Tadanobu Asano in the very recent 'Rampo Noir', Akechi is this time a more down to earth, street-wise Detective (similar to the instinctive nature of Columbo for example) instead of the aristocratic (at least, well dressed and seemingly aloof) academic intellectual as portrayed by Asano. Using his street-smarts, his instinct, and giving a familiarly restrained and captivating performance, Tsukamoto interlinks both tales as he goes about his investigation. Can't help but feel that the plotting is a little Miss Marple in that details suddenly get revealed in a relatively obvious way, partly due to the nature of a much more abstract (yet still logical) story style of Rampo, but also makes thing look a touch farcical at times - 'Oh, I saw a dwarf carrying a woman's arm the night Ranko went missing... is that important you think?' for example. Don't get me wrong, great story that saves it from its obvious limitations as a film, but still has its' issues.
The production values of the film are the most uncomfortable part of the experience to me. Must remember, it's often the oddest, simplest element that can make or break a film. 'Blind Beast Versus Killer Dwarf' was shot on DV (Digital Video), something Japan has been playing around with more frequently in cinematic terms long before Hollywood has attempted recent outings with it (Michael Mann's 'Collateral' and 'Miami Vice' both have the DV look - quick to produce and shoot, can't quite cope with fast motion, dark shots are often too dark) and it's gone in and out of fashion as rapidly as the technology has evolved to be a much less predictable format that good old celluloid - something many have returned too, simply because it's so much more predictable and familiar to work with and it's comfortable to watch, less of a challenge, less similar to TV programs.
The look we have on this film then, it's strictly a TV style look, clearly video, and it lets the film down somewhat, but the story and the work that has gone into it in other areas allows it to shine beyond that limitation. We do however have moments when the visuals get typically too dark, and it becomes hard to see what's going on, similarly, as DV is an indicator of a limited budget, it draws attention to the general faults in the portrayal of the story - we can then see very functional elements to the film strewn all over the place. There's also a very functional subtitle track, often seems more adaptive than accurate, and some dialogue also at least feels missing - can't work it out, but it remains more than watchable.
Yes, the story is fascinating and hold my attention pretty well. Much better as a memory than a viewing experience, and ideal timing to watch this if you've recently seen 'Rampo Noir' or one of the other films based around Rampo writings. If you've also got a taste for Tsukamoto's work, as an actor (or more likely a Director) it's similarly influenced too. Lots of saucy Japanese ladies, some nudity, some extreme violence and gore, but only some - so those that latch onto those elements, prepare to be disappointed by the appearance of a decent story (only kidding!) - and it's as interesting a film as expected, a lesser work, an oddity, from a legend that deserves as much exposure as his work can get. This DVD, from Panik House, an odd choice given what's still available for the USA from Ishii's catalogue, remains probably more sellable on the Tsukamoto, Ero Guro, or existing fan base connections - nice disc, shame about the subtitles, nice 'making-of' mini-featurette is the best extra on the disc, interesting film, might not appeal if you like your films more obviously cinematic in style.
Panik House sub-page for 'Blind Beast Versus Killer Dwarf', includes QT Trailer.
Teruo Ishii Interview at HK Mania.
'Teruo Ishii, The Outcast' Article at Off Screen.
