Intoxicating ‘Belladonna of Sadness’ Now Playing at Metrograph

Intoxicating ‘Belladonna of Sadness’ Now Playing at Metrograph


Belladonna of Sadness New York CityThere is certainly no drought of good cinema to be had in New York City this weekend. But one film that might not necessarily be on your radar that merits attention is Belladonna of Sadness. A lost masterpiece of Japanese animation, Eiichi Yamamoto’s 1973 film has been resurrected from the dead and is playing a limited engagement at the Metrograph.

Definitely not for the kids, Yamamoto’s erotic fantasy tells the story of Jeanne, an innocent young peasant woman who makes a pact with the devil to gain magical powers. Brimming with stunning sexual psychedelic imagery, the film is absolutely intoxicating. It is accompanied by an electrifying Japanese psych rock soundtrack by avant-garde jazz composer Masahiko Satoh. You can watch the film’s glorious NSFW trailer below.

This is the first-ever U.S. release for Yamamoto’s film, which has been newly restored by Cinelicious Pics using the original 35mm camera and sound elements. The version now coming to theaters also includes 8 minutes of surreal footage cut from the negative.

Belladonna of Sadness opens at Metrograph in New York City on May 6. It also has limited engagements scheduled in San Francisco and Los Angeles. It opens at the Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco on May 6, and Cinefamily on May 12.

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