Any of the other Japanese film fans on here fans of or aware of Takashi Ishii? In the west he's probably best know for his crime masterpiece
Gonin (1995) and its 1996 sequel but his name will surly be familiar to fans of Japanese exploitation or "pink" films ("pinku eiga") being the man the
Angel Guts series, one of the most infamous series of films in the genre based on the manga he wrote and illustrated. He also wrote the screenplay for the lunacy that is
Evil Dead Trap (1988).
His films are bizarre, fetishistic and highly stylized often bathed in bright neon colors. He doesn't paint the prettiest picture of humanity yet his films all have a ton of heart. The epitome of a divisive director, his approach to sexuality and violence, often intertwined in his films, have led many, mostly western critics to use to tired "misogynist" tag which is hilarious seeing as in Japan many feminists praise his work.
He's one of those filmmakers who's work beautifully blurs that line between art and exploitation, the "grind" and "art" houses meeting the middle if you will which only makes him all the more polarizing. Personally I feel he's one of the most consistently and audacious, interesting and exciting directors still working today. My thoughts on his directorial debut
here.
