AUDITION (1999)

4 stars

Arrow Video. UHD. 15th June

Original title: Ôdishon

If you have seen Takashi Miike’s slow burn AUDITION before then the words “kitty, kitty, kitty” will likely set you on edge!

Shigeharu Aoyoma (Ryô Ishibashi) is a widower. His son suggests it is about time he start dating again – and maybe remarry. He is not sure, then his film producer friend comes up with the ‘brilliant’ idea of holding auditions for a part in a movie. That way he might find someone.

During the process he becomes enamoured with the shy Asami (Eihi Shiina). Even despite the fact that she stretched the truth in her interview of knowing Shibata at Ace Records – who has been missing for some time… which should have been a red flag. Then we see a strange, rather large sack in her apartment. With her just kneeling. Then the sack moves!

This starts as a drama with a story of two people looking for a connection and possibly love – it just doesn’t quite go the way you expect! About two thirds in things start to get freaky and he may regret trying to tracking her down after she disappears following a weekend away.

I first saw this at FrightFest when it was first released and still remember the tense final act. Eihi Shiina is frightening as the seemingly meek and mild Asami – trust me she is anything but. If you have ever had acupuncture, this film might make you think twice!

The film has been given a brand new 4K restoration from the original Super 16mm camera negative and was approved by director of photography Hideo Yamamoto.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

Introduction by director Takashi Miike

Two audio commentaries: by director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan; by Miike biographer Tom Mes

Interviews with actor Ryo Ishibashi; with director Takashi Miike plus archive interviews with stars Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi and Ren Osugi

Damaged Romance, an appreciation by Japanese cinema historian Tony Rayns and Deeper Deeper Into Audition, an audio essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Trailers and Image gallery

Plus collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anton Bitel, Jennie Kermode and Jamie Graham and reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Dark Inker-Sampson and original UK artwork by Graham Humphreys.