menuProlific madman director who made low-budget erotic cinema his own, hijacking it as a playground for experimentation and injecting it with strong political ideals. One of the greatest classical directors out there, with an oeuvre spanning half a century.
The good stuff
Go, Go Second Time Virgin
Cycling Chronicles: Landscapes the Boy Saw
A film that slows you down for the course of its running time and leaves you with something to think about while looking at impressive imagery and striking you with an impressive soundtrack
Solid pieces
Petrel Hotel Blue
Caterpillar
Ecstasy of the Angels
The Woman Who Wanted to Die
Running in Madness, Dying in Love
The inoffensive
Sacred Mother Kannon
Interesting Wakamatsu. Not as overtly political as his most of his work, instead it features a clear yet slightly repetitive narrative that holds up well enough. The characters are blunt and enigmatic, the film looks nice and the pacing is on point.
Shinjuku Mad
Violence without a Cause
Sexual Play
Violated Angels
The Orgy
Fine Wakamatsu. Less political and psychologic than some of his more famous ones, though his usual trademark elements are still present in some way or another. Fun, short and intriguing hitman film, nice shots and a decent score make for a film that is quite unlike other films from the 60s.
The Millennial Rapture
Wakamatsu didn't really go out with a bang, but this is a worthwhile final feature that at the very least shows he still had a couple of films left in him. An interesting family chronicle with a stellar performance by Shinobu Terajima. The film looks a bit too cheap and digital, it also lacks Wakamatsu's trademark grit, but otherwise it's a fine drama.
Worthy but flawed
United Red Army
Endless Waltz
Secret Flower
Sex Jack
If you're familiar with Wakamatsu's 60s and early 70s work, this film will hold no surprises for you. A clan of young revolutionaries couped up in a small room, doing their best to revolt against the establishment. There are a few nice scenes, but it feels a little too familiar and indistinct compared to his better work.
The Embryo Hunts in Secret
An early Wakamatsu, which is exactly what you can expect. He's clearly still developing his style here, the plot is extremely thin though thematically Wakamatsu draws a lot from it. Short, experimental and pretty edgy, at least for its time. Not as good as his late 60s work, but still worth a shot.
Season of Terror
Typical late-60s Wakamatsu. Shot in black and white, a background of political revolution and free love. Wakamatsu made a gazillion of these films around that time. This one is very thin on plot though and 80 minutes is a tad long, but Wakamatsu fans probably won't be disappointed. Not his best, but still worth watching.
Dubious filler
11.25: The Day He Chose His Own Fate
Vengeance Demon
Secrets behind the Wall
Plain forgettable
Perfect Education 6
Erotic Relations
A Pool without Water
Irritation overload
