Nagisa Oshima's In the Realm of the Senses is a film so sexually explicit and provocative, that even though it was made in 1974, it is still censored in Japan, the country where it was made. Though it purports to deal firmly with preconceived notions about what is acceptable and what is sacred, the film falters as it continually offends. Is there anything redeeming in this violent tale of lust and the power our desire wields over us?

Based on true events, Sada (Eiko Matsuda) is a former prostitute, now a servant in the house of Kichizo (Tatsuya Fuji), a somewhat cruel and sexually aggressive master. The two begin a sexual relationship almost as soon as they are introduced, a wholly consuming affair that leads Kichizo to leave his home and wife in order to spend more time with Sada. At first, Sada is demure and shy in her attentions as they make love, but as the film progresses and she must return to her old ways to earn money, their relationship grows more harsh. Things take a strange turn halfway through the film, with Sada gaining the upper hand in the relationship. As the desire for pleasure leads instead to pain and violence, Sada becomes insatiable in her sexual appetite and the film ends on a violent note as Sada accidentally strangles Kichizo in a fit of passion.

Serious film scholars will be pleased that the Criterion release has done justice to the philosophical project of Oshima. With the wealth of information available on this DVD, there is finally an explanation readily available alongside the film, extensive interviews with the director and two main actors, and deleted scenes. But perhaps some of the finest work is found in the eloquent essay booklet that is included. The essay lays out some serious arguments against the gut reactions that the film induces. Cries of pornography and obscenity are the easy call to make, but film scholar Donald Richie makes the case that this isn't director Nagisa Oshima's aim. Oshima believes that whatever is not shown is exciting, taboo or could be considered obscene, therefore when everything is shown, there is nothing obscene about it. Pornography is meant to excite through the use of various film techniques and serves a single purpose for the viewer, but not so with a lengthy narrative film such as this one. He even makes the claim that the film begins to approach pornography when it is edited or cut down, since to edit is to admit that there is something obscene. Oshima seems intentional in his rejection of pornographic or objectionable claims, and he seems to see the graphic sexuality as necessary to the political discussion happening within the film.

Oshima has set the story in 1936 in pre-war Japan, which gives the entire film an added layer of hidden repression. For a film that deals almost exclusively with graphic sex, In the Realm of the Senses isn't sexy, and there isn't really a moment of pleasure to be found within the endless coupling. Instead, there is a stark quality to the depictions, since one is watching the mechanical march toward the total destruction of two lives. Sada and Kichizo live in a world that exists to serve their senses, where eating and sleeping are mere hindrances to undivided sexual attentions. Oshima carefully depicts the necessary end of such single-minded obsession, the utilitarian component which transforms the one you love into the one who exists to serve your needs. The strange thing is that between Sada and Kichizo there exists a kind of competitive spirit of humiliation, each taunting the other, Sada threatens with knives, Kichizo sleeps with an older geisha as Sada looks on, there seems to be no limit to the degradation that will be inflicted for the purpose of sexual fulfillment.

More fascinating as a thought experiment than as an actual film, In the Realm of the Senses is a difficult film to stomach. Perhaps it is my American mentality, but the film is still shocking enough that the message was obscured for me. Films should stand on their own, independent of any required reading, and this film falls flat without the importance given to it through the essays and interviews. Combined with crystal clear picture quality and sound, Criterion has created the ultimate edition, making available what has only been previously available in poor quality. It's hard to emphasize just how lovely the artwork and packaging are in contrast to so stark a film. The extra features are numerous enough to sate even the most rabid individual's interest in the film, but given the content, it's hard to imagine any casual viewer finding much to love within such oppressive and disturbing imagery.

In the Realm of the Senses is rated NC-17 and is available April 28, 2009, on Blu-Ray and DVD from Criterion.

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