(Kurotokage)
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
86 minutes
In Japanese with English subtitles

Japanese cinema was going through a lot of changes in the 1960s. Television was in danger of taking over everything, because it was free of cost. Ticket sales at cinemas were plummeting, and studio executives were getting scared. This led to the conservative mainstream studios allowing their directors to become more free and experimental, and do things that weren't possible on television. Cinema became more sensual and erotic and wild, and some pretty weird cinematic cocktails were tossed together, including this psychedelic cult classic.

This flick has all the usual tropes... a crime story, a love interest, kidnappings, assassins, etc., but they are blown apart by its new wave approach, unusual twists, and psychedelic aesthetics. Everything is remixed and made fluid, including gender stereotypes, with the central mafia crime boss—the titular Black Lizard—being played by renowned singer and drag performer Akihiro Miwa. During the 60s she was one of the hottest things happening in Tokyo. Her character isn't just a criminal, she is a symbol of rebellion against everything the normal world represents—all the regulations, complacency, categories, mediocrity, monotony, and obedience. In other words, this was made back in the days when queer was exxxotic and alternative and outside the mainstream, and wasn't a parade supported by Rabobank, Uber, Netflix, Mastercard, Booking.com, Phillips, Heineken, etc. The character of the Black Lizard is a surreal creature every bit as intoxicating as any character that ever hit the silver screen. Her role is iconic, the kind of stuff dreams are made of.

The story is based on a theatre play by the controversial Japanese writer Yukio Mishima, which in turn was based on a novel by the erotic mystery writer Edogawa Ranpo. It was directed by Kinji Fukasaku (Battle Royal) and writer Yukio Mishima himself even jumps in for a cameo role. Very camp and kitsch, with the overwhelming power of a fever dream. Although this was once a counterculture sensation, today it has been criminally deleted and is almost impossible to see, so this will be an extremely rare screening.

As one viewer concluded, it's a "stylish, romantic and perverse candy-coloured crime musical. Essential for fans of pop art..."