Gozu

We’re back and we’re moist. Between all this chicken custard, cow spittle and milk, Gozu has left us downright sodden. We’ve seen films use 3D, moving seats, and even subsonic vibrations to enhance the viewing experience, but this is going too far. Maybe we can scrape some of the muck off using this convenient ladle. Hang on… Why is the handle warm? Main Topic: Gozu Following last episode’s discussion of gangsters in Call of Cthulhu, we now look at probably the strangest gangster film ever made. Gozu is a 2003 production from legendary Japanese director Takashi Miike, and it defies description. It may not precisely be a horror film, but it will probably make you more uncomfortable than most horrors. As in so many of his films, Miike sets out to shock and transgress, but does so here in a playful, surreal manner. There is some weird sexual content in the film, so be warned that the discussion may be more explicit than usual. Once again, Matt is absent from this episode. COVID hit him hard and he has taken some time to recover. Happily, he is doing much better now and will be back for our next episode. Once again, we have called upon our good friend Dirk the Dice to stand in for Matt. You will know Dirk from his marvellous podcast The Grognard Files, as well as our live recording of “The Necropolis”, with How We Roll. Links Things we mention in this episode include: * The Grognard Files podcast* Gozu (2003)* Takashi Miike* Audition (1999)* Audition by Ryū Murakami* Visitor Q (2001)* Ichi the Killer (2001)* The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001)* One Missed Call (2003)* Full Metal Yakuza (1997)* Dirty Pretty Things (2002)* Gozu urban myth* The King in Yellow* Keaw Yed City* Masters of Horror* “Imprint” (2006)* Sakichi Sato* A Fish Called Wanda (1988)* Ring (1998)* Weekend at Bernie’s (1989)* ...