Plot: What’s it about?
Aizawa heads up a student political group, one which backs extreme left-wing policies and often clashes with the authorities. But now Aizawa has been jailed and in his absence, the group has taken minimal action. While in prison, Aizawa meets Fujiwara and when his fellow prisoner is freed, Aizawa tells him that he should join up with the group. Fujiwara does indeed, only to discover that Masami, Aizawa’s girlfriend has taken command. Without their leader, the group has become bland and takes no stands at all. The group is more social than political now, a chance for Masami to find new sexual partners and some newcomers to gain some acceptance. Those who dislike the current status of the group remain quiet however, as they know that when Aizawa is released, the old ways will return. But then tragic news reaches the group, news that Aizawa has taken his own life while in prison. This sparks an implosion within the group, as doubts surface about how the future should be approached. When someone expresses an interest in leaving to join a more active group, a chain of madness is snapped into motion. The wild paranoia has everyone, especially Masami on edge, so the doubter is taken into the woods and brutalized. Will anyone be able to survive the bloodbath that follows, or will the group fall apart with Aizawa?
If you love complex movies that deal with social dynamics, but regret the lack of graphic violence and sex in those movies, then you’re in luck, as Kichiku has arrived. The flick plays like an insane mixture of exploitation and political/social cinema, a blend that is sure to repulse some and thrill others. A lot of time is spent on development, how the group interacts, how the different members handle themselves, how the personal dynamics impact each other, which is crucial to the film’s impact. The attention to development ensures that the later violence and sadistic behavior is not meaningless, we can see how the violence creeps into the characters. You can see the small cracks in the group’s foundation, then watch as the cracks turn into the total breakdown, which then leads to the violent outbursts. The blood and sex are sure to offend a lot of folks, but within the structure of the movie, they’re not random or slapdash. But be warned, as the violence is intense and graphic, not to mention the realistic special effects. So if you’re easily offended, then you probably won’t want to watch Kichiku. ArtsMagic has given Kichiku a two disc treatment, which includes a nice selection of bonus materials. This kind of film isn’t for everyone’s tastes, but if you’re interested, Kichiku is more than recommended.
Video: How does it look?
Kichiku is presented in full frame, as intended. I’ve seen the import DVD of Kichiku and that version was lackluster, thanks to some conversion issues. But this treatment avoids those pitfalls and turns out quite well, so fans should be pleased. The print looks clean, with no major debris or grain to mention. That allows the visuals to have more depth and detail can be finer, though there is a tinge of softness at times. The image displays natural colors, though hues brighten as needed, such as the greens in the woods and the red hues of the blood. Not vivid, just natural in scope and that just what was needed here. I didn’t see any issues with the contrast either, as black levels were rich and refined throughout. So for those disappointed with the import version, ArtsMagic has cured those woes with this new edition.
Audio: How does it sound?
The original Japanese soundtrack is preserved here via a Dolby Digital 5.1 option, but don’t expect dynamic presence. The use of surround sound is frequent and effective, but not in the same ways we’re used to. So if you need action cinema style sound, then you’re out of luck, as this is a more reserved, environmental audio presentation. The surrounds are used to add background noise and create a natural, immersive atmosphere. You’ll hear some power strokes at times, but this is mostly a reserved, refined soundtrack. That is good news though, as forced surround power could have lessened the experience. The dialogue is clean and clear and in case you need them, optional English subtitles are also included.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The main supplement here is The Making of Kichiku, which runs about half an hour and offers a nice look behind the scenes. This is not the usual promotional fluff we’re used to on American movies, so you’ll actually get to see some good footage here. You can also view some additional interviews with Kumakiri, the film’s cameraman, and four of the lead cast members. This disc also includes some of the reactions to Kichiku, a selection of talent files, and rounding out the extras, the film’s theatrical trailer.
