Description
Title: See You in Hell, Friends (1970)
Alternate Title: Dovidenia v pekle, priatelia
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Plot Synopsis: As a car filled with diverse characters tumbles down an embankment and bursts into flames, the elderly driver utters, “See you in hell, friends.” The film then explores the intertwined relationships of these individuals through flashbacks. Rita and her fiancé, Petras, move into a farmhouse owned by an aging colonel. Rita marries both the colonel and Petras, and they have a daughter named Christine. The colonel’s father appears and also pursues Rita. Their unconventional life faces upheaval when two women arrive, chopping down trees to build an ark. Rita experiences disturbing nightmares, culminating in Christine’s crucifixion. The film delves into themes of surrealism, infidelity, and the absurdity of human relationships.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Juraj Jakubisko
- Writers: Juraj Jakubisko, Karol Sidon
- Cast:
- Míla Beran
- Nino Besozzi as Colonel
- Jana Brezinová as First Witch
- Carlo Capannelle as Hermit
- Zdeněk Dušek as Postman’s Assistant
IMDb Link: See You in Hell, Friends (1990)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Bandinii – ★★★★ “An absurdist comedy about freedom, oppression, and eternal recurrence. Jakubisko crafts a frenzied, incalculable film that marches to its own nonsensical rhythm.”
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soroush shokouei – ★★★★½ “This film belongs in the Guinness Book of World Records. I began shooting it during one regime, and finished it under another.”
Meta Description: “See You in Hell, Friends” (1990), directed by Juraj Jakubisko, is a Czechoslovak-Italian dark comedy-drama that explores the surreal and intertwined lives of its characters, delving into themes of freedom, oppression, and the absurdity of human relationships.
Title: Brutal Sorcery (1983)
Alternate Title: 毒蠱 (Du gu)
Genre: Horror
Plot Synopsis:
Alan Chang, a devoted taxi driver and husband, becomes entangled in a web of black magic after encountering a pair of ghostly lovers during a late-night fare. Cursed by these spirits, Alan’s life spirals into chaos, leading him into adultery and despair. Desperate to break free from the malevolent forces, he seeks assistance to combat the dark sorcery that has overtaken his existence. The film explores themes of demonic possession, supernatural curses, and the struggle between good and evil.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Pang Ling
- Writer: On Szeto
- Cast:
- Hoi-San Kwan as Dr. Kwok
- Lily Chan as San Lin
- Hei-Lai Ngon as Anne
- Hon Chi Lai as Cheung Yau
- Ying-Lik Chan
IMDb Link:
Brutal Sorcery (1983)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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D Edward – ★★☆☆☆
“It’s kind of crazy how much this rips off Kuei Chih-Hung’s Bewitched. Basically strip that movie of all its style and arsenal of effects and you’re left with something vaguely interesting but also boring.” -
Andrew Roby – ★★★★☆
“A taxi driver gets sick with some black death magic. He pukes it up & can’t get it up. Black magic. Snakes. Black magic rituals. Hilariously atrocious dubbing. Awkward s&x. Black magic.” -
se13an – ★★★☆☆
“Bargain Bin Bewitched. This runs a lot like a cheaper version of Kuei Chih Hung’s Bewitched about a man who goes to Thailand for some no strings attached s&x and never realizes the woman he was messing around with has access to a wizard who will curse him.”
Meta Description:
“Brutal Sorcery” (1983) is a Hong Kong horror film directed by Pang Ling. The story follows Alan Chang, a taxi driver who becomes ensnared in black magic after a supernatural encounter, leading him into a descent of adultery and despair. The film delves into themes of demonic possession and the battle against malevolent forces.
Title: Doin’ Time in Times Square (1992)
Genre: Documentary
Plot Synopsis:
From 1981 to 1983, director Charlie Ahearn captured the dynamic and often chaotic life outside his apartment at 43rd Street and 8th Avenue in New York City. This documentary juxtaposes the raw, unfiltered street scenes of Times Square—including drug deals, street brawls, and the vibrant nightlife—with intimate moments of Ahearn’s family life, highlighting the stark contrast between the external turmoil and internal domesticity. The film offers a unique perspective on the urban landscape of early 1980s Manhattan.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Charlie Ahearn
- Writer: Charlie Ahearn
- Cast:
- Eve Ahearn
- Jane Ahearn
- Joey Ahearn
IMDb Link:
Doin’ Time in Times Square (1992)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Oliver – ★★★☆☆
“Quietly opposing views of the quotidian are stitched together in this exposé on the lives of those around 43rd St and 8th Ave in the early ’80s.” -
Matt Minter – ★★★★★
“Fascinating bird’s eye view of early 80s New York. Lots of intense and violent confrontations.” -
borisnyc – ★☆☆☆☆
“I guess the theme of this short film was spoiled in the title. This is shot from the filmmaker’s apartment window, in the late 80’s, mostly things that happened outside on the street in Times Square.”
Meta Description:
“Doin’ Time in Times Square” (1992) is a documentary by Charlie Ahearn that juxtaposes the raw street life of early 1980s Times Square with intimate moments from his family life, offering a unique perspective on urban existence.
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Title: The Headless Rider (1973)
Alternate Title: Всадник без головы (Vsadnik bez golovy)
Genre: Adventure, Romance, Western
Plot Synopsis: Set in 1850s Texas, the film follows Louise, the daughter of wealthy plantation owner Woodley Poindexter. She falls in love with Maurice Gerald, a poor mustanger. After a secret meeting between the two, Louise’s brother, Henry, disappears. Maurice is found covered in blood with signs of a struggle and is accused of Henry’s murder. As tensions rise and Maurice faces imminent lynching, the mysterious Headless Horseman appears, altering the course of events.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Vladimir Vaynshtok
- Writers: Vladimir Vaynshtok, Pavel Finn, based on the novel by Thomas Mayne Reid
- Cast:
- Oleg Vidov as Maurice Gerald
- Ludmila Savelyeva as Louise Poindexter
- Eslinda Núñez as Isidora Kovarubio De Los-L’yanos
- Enrique Santisteban as El Coyote
- Alejandro Lugo as Woodley Poindexter
IMDb Link: The Headless Rider (1973)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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sakana1 – ★★★☆☆ “Often referred to as the first Soviet western, The Headless Rider is an intriguing artifact. Based on an American novel, it was shot primarily in the Crimea, co-produced by Cuba and the USSR, and directed by a man who hadn’t made a film in 35 years.”
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Fulton Collins “The premise sounds amazing (first Russian western that’s also a headless horseman adaptation) but it never seems to reach its potential. There’s a mystery that doesn’t start till about 50 mins in, out of an hour and 32 min runtime.”
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Victor S. K. P. – ★★★½ “The Russian take on the Western genre is surprisingly good. Adapting the famous tale of the Headless Horseman, the first half of the film efficiently sets up the plot, and more importantly, the characters; their motivations, and personalities.”
Meta Description: “The Headless Rider” (1973), directed by Vladimir Vaynshtok, is a Soviet-Cuban adventure-romance-western film set in 1850s Texas. It tells the story of Louise Poindexter, who falls in love with mustanger Maurice Gerald. After her brother’s mysterious disappearance, Maurice is accused of murder, but the sudden appearance of a Headless Horseman changes everything.
Title: Hentai byôtô: Hakui seme (1988)
Alternate Titles:
- Love Letter in the Sand
- Pervert Ward: Torturing the White Uniform
- 変態病棟 白衣責め
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Drama
Plot Synopsis: In this 1988 Japanese film directed by Hisayasu Satô, a nurse in a medical center cares for a patient suffering from amnesia, only to discover he is a serial killer roaming the city with a metal baseball bat. The narrative serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of memory, identity, and perverse desires, featuring numerous softcore scenes involving latex and rubber fetishes.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Hisayasu Satô
- Writer: Shirô Yumeno
- Producer: Daisuke Asakura
- Cinematography: Kōichi Saitō
- Editor: Shōji Sakai
- Composer: So Hayakawa
- Cast:
- Maya Shiraki
- Yoko Fujita
- Takeshi Itō
- Masahiko Itoh
IMDb Link: Hentai byôtô: Hakui seme (1988)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Dave Jackson – ★★★★ “Ignore the stupid title, Pervert Ward: Torturing the White Uniform (why?!) is top-notch Satô. Satô was on fire in ’88…”
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Dakota Noot – ★★★★ “Hisayasu Satô’s cold, wet version of the sun-soaked ‘Autopsy’ (1975), but with the memory loss of ‘Night of the Hunted’ (1980)…”
Meta Description: “Hentai byôtô: Hakui seme” (1988), directed by Hisayasu Satô, is a Japanese horror-mystery drama that follows a nurse who discovers her amnesiac patient is a serial killer. The film delves into themes of memory, identity, and perverse desires, set against a backdrop of latex and rubber fetishes.
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Title: Monster Heaven: Ghost Hero (1990)
Alternate Title: 妖怪天国・ゴーストヒーロー
Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Horror
Plot Synopsis:
A major electronics company on the verge of developing technology to create a 3D image that can be physically handled is thrown into turmoil when a murderous demon is unleashed in the headquarters office. Can the slow-witted son of the company founder and a punk rock band of monsters stop the evil forces before the employees are butchered?
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Makoto Tezuka
- Writers: Masato Harada, Makoto Tezuka
- Cast:
- Masao Kusakari as Adachi Satoru
- Kaori Mizushima as Amano Tamami
- Hideyo Amamoto as Prophecy Teller
- Masatô Ibu as Kurozuka Ryuichi
- Karen Kirishima as Witch
IMDb Link:
Monster Heaven: Ghost Hero (1990)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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threepenny – ★★☆☆☆
“There’s a certain flavor to early nineties Japanese DTV. They are almost all extremely ugly – bright, garish lighting, cavalier staging…” -
Lexxx – ★★★★☆
“I love monster punk bands, especially when the guitarist is a raccoon!!! The tech building setting was great because it featured sword fighting holograms…” -
Justin Decloux – ★★★☆☆
“Lots of fun ideas, and impressive visual effects, trapped in a plodding structure that crawls over the 70-minute mark.”
Meta Description:
“Monster Heaven: Ghost Hero” (1990), directed by Makoto Tezuka, is a Japanese action sci-fi horror film where a major electronics company’s development of tangible 3D imaging technology leads to chaos as a murderous demon is unleashed, prompting the founder’s son and a punk rock band of monsters to combat the evil forces.
Title: The Insatiable (1971)
Alternate Title: Gendai poruno-den: Sentensei inpu
Genre: Drama
Plot Synopsis:
Yuki Onozaki, a young student at a women’s college in Tokyo, returns to her hometown of Kyoto during summer break, only to be assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend. Traumatized, she abandons her studies and embarks on a path of self-destruction, engaging with various men, including a gang leader and industrialists, seeking solace. Her life takes a turn when she meets Yoichiro Honma, a young architect, and begins to experience genuine affection. However, the reappearance of Yoichiro’s former lover, Sandra, complicates matters, leading Yuki to confront her tumultuous past and uncertain future.
Cast and Crew:
Director: Norifumi Suzuki
Writers: Masahiro Kakefuda, Norifumi Suzuki
Cast:
- Reiko Ike as Yuki Onozaki
- Sandra Julien as Sandra
- Hiroshi Miyauchi as Yoichiro Honma
- Asao Koike as Kiyoshi Oba
- Tatsuo Endô as Ken’ichiro Matsumura
IMDb Link:
The Insatiable (1971)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Lou (rhymes with wow!) – ★★★½
“That’s right, Yuki, if you can’t beat your romantic rival, have sex with her! We all understand your logic! This is Sandra Julien (The Shiver of the Vampires) that we’re talking about after all.” -
Lewis666 ☢️ – ★★★
“This Pinku film starts off pretty good, but slowly it loses its way once the third act rolls along.”
Meta Description:
“The Insatiable” (1971), directed by Norifumi Suzuki, is a Japanese drama that follows Yuki Onozaki, a young woman who, after a traumatic assault, descends into a life of promiscuity. Her encounter with a compassionate architect offers a glimpse of hope, but past traumas and complex relationships challenge her path to redemption.
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Title: Visitors from the Arkana Galaxy (1981)
Alternate Title: Gosti iz galaksije
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi
Plot Synopsis: Robert, a science fiction writer, discovers he has the ability to materialize his thoughts into reality. This newfound power brings to life a trio of alien androids—Andra and the children, Targo and Ulu—from his latest novel. As these extraterrestrial beings integrate into his life, chaos ensues, straining his relationship with his girlfriend, Biba, and disrupting their seaside community. The situation escalates further when a monstrous creature, Mumu, also born from Robert’s imagination, begins to wreak havoc. The film explores themes of creativity, unintended consequences, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Dušan Vukotić
- Writers: Miloš Macourek, Dušan Vukotić
- Cast:
- Žarko Potočnjak as Robert
- Lucie Žulová as Biba
- Ksenia Prohaska as Andra
- Rene Bitorajac as Targo
- Jasminka Alić as Ulu
- Ljubiša Samardžić as Toni
IMDb Link: Visitors from the Arkana Galaxy (1981)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Lou (rhymes with wow!) – ★★★★½ “Visitors from the (Arkana) Galaxy is a wildly imaginative and playful tale about a science-fiction author who discovers that he can make his thoughts materialize, merely by thinking it.”
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PT99 – ★★★ “If this happened to me I’d probably just get pegged. 6/10”
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Blake Bergman “Various Spaghetti” – ★★★★½ “The film itself is a co-produced effort between Yugoslavia and what was at the time, Czechoslovakia… Vukotic, himself, born of Yugoslavian origin held a respective candor towards fantastical animation.”
Meta Description: “Visitors from the Arkana Galaxy” (1981), directed by Dušan Vukotić, is a Yugoslav-Czechoslovak comedy-horror sci-fi film about Robert, a writer whose imagination brings alien androids and a monstrous creature to life, leading to chaos in his personal life and community.
Title: Dirty (1993)
Genre: Short, Horror
Plot Synopsis:
Inspired by and loosely based on the introduction to Georges Bataille’s Blue of Noon, Dirty portrays the descent of a woman named Dirty into degradation. Despite her affluence, she becomes helpless in the hands of those she sought to patronize. The film shifts perspectives, allowing viewers to experience the protagonist’s view of herself and how the world perceives her.
Cast and Crew:
- Directors: Tessa Hughes-Freeland, Annabel Lee
- Writer: Georges Bataille (novel)
- Cast:
- Marti Blue as Dirty
- David Huberman as Man in Elevator
- Jennifer Kabat as Maid
- Joe Budenhoozer as Barman
- Brigitte Engler as Barfly
IMDb Link:
Dirty (1993)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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dogfacedboy – ★★★☆☆
“Accurate title. Watch here.” -
☥ skylar ☥ – ★★★★☆
“Tessa Hughes-Freeland and Annabel Lee have crafted the ideal transgression daydream, or nightmare, depending on who you are!” -
shaun – ★★★★☆
“Felt kinda Lynchian? Very camp feel to it and the total opposite to the edginess of Tessa’s collaboration with Tom Turner, Rat Trap.”
Meta Description:
Dirty (1993), directed by Tessa Hughes-Freeland and Annabel Lee, is a short horror film loosely based on Georges Bataille’s Blue of Noon, exploring a woman’s descent into degradation and the shifting perceptions of her identity.
Title: Harvest Moon (2018)
Plot Synopsis: Each September, Bolot Tagaev and his family engage in a centuries-old tradition of harvesting walnuts in one of the oldest walnut forests in Kyrgyzstan. Director Zaheed Mawani captures their seasonal routines, highlighting delicate moments such as a child interacting with a snake and the careful handling of walnut sacks. The film also delves into the rich tapestry of myths and legends associated with the forest, shared around nightly fires, adding a mythic dimension to their way of life.
Cast and Crew:
- Director: Zaheed Mawani
- Cinematography: Sebastián Hiriart
- Editors: Andrea Bussmann, Zaheed Mawani
IMDb Link: Harvest Moon (2018)
Reviews from Letterboxd:
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Avirup – “To get a peek into a place, people and life like this, it always is something special..”
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Dustin Baker – “Simple and sweet, showing a small sliver of a family’s life in a corner of the world rarely shown. The older and more stressed I become, the more I appreciate these little windows into the world that I become ever more boxed out of…”
Meta Description: “Harvest Moon” (2018) is a poignant documentary by Zaheed Mawani that chronicles the annual walnut harvest of Bolot Tagaev’s family in Kyrgyzstan. The film offers an intimate glimpse into their traditions, daily interactions, and the rich folklore that binds their community.
