Woods Are Wet – 88 Films

Director: Tatsumi Kumashiro
Screenplay: Tatsumi Kumashiro
Based on a Novel by: Marquis de Sade
Starring: Hiroko Isayama, Rie Nakagawa, Hatsuo Yamaya, Moeko Ezawa, Akira Takahashi, Yuri Yamashina, Kôichi Hori
Country: Japan
Running Time: 65 min
Year: 1973
BBFC Certificate: 18

The 1960s saw a rise of independent pinku eiga (or ‘pink films’ – those featuring sex or nudity) in Japanese cinema. With the nation’s studios in dire straits (one even closed down) due to the rise of television, they were willing to try anything to stay afloat. In 1971, Nikkatsu, one of the major studios, decided to stop producing the action movies they’d become known for and instead turned their attentions to making high-end erotic films with bigger budgets and higher production values than the standard pinku eiga. These films would fall under a new heading, Roman Porno, and the line kept the studio going until the home video market killed it off and Nikkatsu declared bankruptcy in 1993.

Many stars and directors left the studio when it shifted towards making Roman Pornos, which mean Nikkatsu ended up hiring a lot of new, up-and-coming talent. This led to a large number of surprisingly bold and interesting films, something you might not expect from Western pornographic movies, for instance.

The Roman Porno films have, sadly, been difficult to get hold of in the UK though. Hoping to remedy this, however, are 88 Films, who have announced they’re releasing a handful of them over the coming months and hopefully have more to follow.

Among the first titles to be released in 88 Films’ new range is Tatsumi Kumashiro’s Woods Are Wet (1973). Kumashiro was one of the early and key directors working for Nikkatsu on these films, so it’s a fitting start.

I must admit, I don’t often go for erotic films like this but I was very impressed by the one Roman Porno film I’d seen previously, Shinji Sōmai’s Love Hotel. So, I thought I’d delve a little deeper into this corner of Japanese cinema that’s rarely represented in the UK.

In 1972, Nikkatsu were accused of violation of the obscenity law through their Roman Porno films and the trial would continue until 1980, when they were cleared of the charges. Being made whilst the trial was ongoing, many believe Woods Are Wet is Kumashiro’s reaction against it.

Due to the trial and controversy behind the Roman Porno series, the Japanese censors pulled Woods Are Wet from screens after only 3 days. This made the film very difficult to see, which made it develop into somewhat of a legend among aficionados of the line. As such, 88 Films’ new Blu-ray release of the film is a Godsend to some.

Woods Are Wet is an adaptation of the Marquis de Sade’s 1791 ‘Justine’ or ‘The Misfortunes of Virtue’ novel. The film stars Hiroko Isayama as Sachiko, a young woman who’s on the run from a murder she’s been wrongly accused of.

Yoko (Rie Nakagawa), a seemingly upper-class woman who comes across Sachiko on the road, takes pity on the fugitive. She takes her to her secluded home in the mountains and gives her a surprising offer. Yoko asks Sachiko to share her fate of living with her awful husband, Ryûnosuke (Hatsuo Yamaya), in exchange for half of her estate.

Sachiko agrees but soon learns that it was all a ruse and, whilst Ryûnosuke is indeed awful, his wife is no better. The couple then unveil their true intentions for Sachiko. They want to use her to assist in the capture of wealthy men visiting their hotel. They plan to sexually abuse and murder their ‘guests’, stealing their belongings afterwards.

Well, this was quite an eye-opener! The Japanese censors were less concerned with the nudity and sexual content of Woods Are Wet than with this being mixed with graphic violence. It’s certainly what keeps the film shocking to this day and it, alongside the rape aspect of the sex scenes kept the film from feeling remotely arousing. The chunky black censor bars over any pubic hair or genitalia don’t help either (these are standard for Japanese erotic films).

Indeed, Kumashiro reportedly said that “my films are about people, not biology”. So, the director seemed less interested in titillating than in exploring the dark recesses of people’s psyches. It certainly makes for disturbing viewing.

After Ryûnosuke and Yoko’s horrific acts (or rather during the still horrific aftermath), the characters philosophically discuss the reasons behind their actions too. This is in keeping with the source material and provides food for thought among the blood and depravity.

Away from the more controversial or theoretical aspects of Woods Are Wet, it’s a beautiful looking film. Incredibly low-key lighting is put to great use, often implementing candelight. Due to this and the atmospheric location it was shot in, the film feels like a gothic horror, particularly in the first half, which I very much appreciated.

I wouldn’t say Woods Are Wet entirely appealed to me though, particularly in the bloodbath-orgy of the second half. It did have an elusive, disturbing pull though and those with more of a taste for the depraved and grotesque will lap it up. Sumptuously presented in a gothic fashion, it’s visually impressive, even if you might not always like what you see.

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