Woman in the Dunes

Stunning film. Scratchy eerie score. So atmospheric. The sexual tension is palpable. The images are jaw dropping. Extreme close ups, imaginative wide angles. The changing state of Japanese society as it arrives into the modern world is melded with personal existentialism and relationship trauma.

Simply one of the greatest films I have ever seen.

Essential movie by great new wave director, Hiroshi Teshigahara. I found a review which perfectly explains the essence of this movie:
"I've recently discovered the great Hiroshi Teshigahara, his texture of water drops, skin and sand, hair and hope. The film is frightful because of the story, yet sublime because of this complicated "relationship" between man and nature. The character is not only a scared "tenant" of the dunes but his struggles and emotions are entirely swallowed by a holy "sandfall" - a metaphor. Marvel construction of motifs!" 15 September 2013 (Mubi, Cojocariu Claudia)

Bizarre, beautiful mystery of a movie. I loved every second of it. Incredible photography, not only of the liquified patterns of moving sand, but of the cramped house that provides the main space of the movie. Reminds me a little of Picnic at Hanging Rock, in its singular vision and ethereal beauty.

On the kidnapping theme it really manages to bring something new and original, and much food for thought for the audience. Not to be missed.

The original title of the film is Suna no Onna.

To accept one's so called fate or to reveal to it. Obedience/ disobedience, resignation/ resistance; is there really a choice?

A political anthropology essay; a novel look at man's relationship with nature and power. This movie will stick with you like a thousand grains of sand.

incredible. i love the way japanese movies use cinematography in their own unique way to make their movies stand out as much as possible. it certainly works as well with wide camera views giving focus to the whole scenery instead of a singular actor at once. this movie has an amazing atmosphere with thoughtprovoking dialogue.

This is a film from my home country (Japan), but I don't like it very much. The visual experience of wandering around the world in the sand for a long time is unpleasant to watch. To begin with, Kobo Abe's original novel is not that good, but it is highly acclaimed overseas. However, the film is not without its good parts. However, it is doubtful if the visual experience of the unnecessary sandy prison is really of the same quality as that of "Eraserhead" when compared to it. Nevertheless, it is nice to see a film from my home country being highly praised.