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Takeshi Miike's Imprint (2006)
Masters of Horror: Imprint
Apologies to regular readers for the lack of fresh celluloid musings around these parts. John Doe has again relocated geographically and metaphysically. Fear not though instead of a blank page, here is the reprint of an article that appeared on www.cavecc.com a few years ago...rest assured JD will return shortly with original content in the near future.
DVD Cover for the unspeakable Episode
"I can only work realistically while wanting to depict something unrealistic." – Takashi Miike
Japanese Horror Veteran Takashi Miike is a Director who pushes and punctures the sinewy outer flesh of gruesome taboos. Confronting with style, manipulating with pace and imaginative staging.
The accupuncture Dentist seemed like a good idea in theory.
This is a visual storyteller who trademark’s scorch the retina with images of diabolical, twisted cruelty, terror and pain. Explicit violence is made more torturous because of an intentional atmosphere of ambiguous mystery that drives character plights. Imprint is no different, produced for the U.S as part of the exceptional Masters of Horror HBO series typically it was promptly banned due to the challenging content.
The plot sees gaunt faced Billy Drago as Christopher, an American obsessed with searching for the love of his life, a delicate beauty named Komomo (Michie Ito). Separated years earlier he has now returned to Japan, his determination leading him to an island that spirals into psychological turmoil within a world of demons, whores and evil.
A colourful nightmare of geisha.
Takashi Miike’s (Audition, Ichi the Killer, One Missed Call, Visitor Q) grounded direction ensures we never drift into exploitation and a mood of tragic menace exudes each frame, it isn’t just the disturbing FX that frighten. There is an eeriness that is enhanced by colour conscious cinematography and careful sound design, completing the suspenseful tone.
Billy Drago wears the agony on his face.
Youki Kudoh (Mystery Train, Snow Falling on Cedars) brings a distinct presence to match her co star onscreen, drawing us in as the enigmatic woman who possibly knows answers to the riddle.
"I don't think about the audience, I don't think about what makes them happy, because there's no way for me to know. To try to think of what makes for entertainment is a very Japanese thing. The people who think like this are old-fashioned. They think of the audience as a mass, but in fact every person in the audience is different. So entertainment for everyone doesn't exist". – Takashi Miike
This is true horror, the kind that will leave fans of user friendly genre entertainment (eg: Teen horror like Scream, Final Destination etc) stopping the DVD and fleeing in white knuckled disgust exclaiming the creators sick perversion. It is not surprising that western sensibilities were repulsed by this high point in the cable series, but isn’t that what Adult horror is meant to do? If the stories and execution are tamed to be accessible to a wide audience then how can it truly shock and genuinely petrify its hardened audience.
Here is a trailer for the brave ones
Serving as an introduction to the man, a bonus interview with Takashi Miike doing press for Audition.
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