The tale of leading female impersonator Yukinojo’s quest for revenge, shot through with as many cinematic devices and experiments with style that Ichikawa could muster gave our members plenty to discuss after the film in the Circus Circus bar.

The performance of veteran actor Kazuo Hasegawa, in the dual roles of Yukinojo Nakamura and Yamitaro came under discussion for both the levels of artifice and verisimilitude on display, a theme that was developed with reference to the entire film. A main point of discussion focused on questioning the films primary audience, with particular reference to the international art-cinema circuit. The film’s position on the notion and morality of revenge was also talked about, and held up against Ichikawa’s seemingly playful treatment of the potentially tragic and melodramatic storyline.

Also, informally attending the discussion was Ann Wright - Chairman of the Brighton and Hove Anglo Japanese Network - who was able to provide our members with some valuable insight into some of the conventions of Kabuki theatre, which led our members to speculate how faithfully these were observed (or not) within the film’s own framework.