Kaidan

This stylized surrealistic horror film marks a radical change of course in Masaki Kobayashi’s artistic approach. Based on four ghost stories by the Irish-Greek author Lafcadio Hearn and adapted for the screen by Japanese screenwriter Yoko Mizuki, Kobayashi crafts an expressive visual frenzy in the form of magnificent supernatural scenes in which four protagonists face ghostly retribution and spiritual trials: a samurai who is forced to consider transience and futility upon returning to his beloved wife; a woodcutter who falls in love with a “snow woman”; a blind musician whose playing has dramatic consequences for the spirits; and a samurai and a face that unexpectedly gazes at him. One of the most expensive films in Japanese cinema history, KAIDAN could not have been made without the substantial financial support and production infrastructure provided by the Ninjin Club. The ticket proceeds, of which Ninjin Club didn’t receive a favorable share, were insufficient to cover production costs. Bankruptcy was inevitable. Many of those involved were still paying off the debts years later. (mg)