Kuroneko

The translated title of Kaneto Shindô's ferocious tale is Black Cat, but rather than felines, this 1968 film centers on the vengeful ghosts of a mother, Yone (Nobuko Otowa), and her daughter-in-law, Shige (Kiwako Taichi), who were raped and murdered by rogue samurai in feudal Japan. The specters are driven to revenge themselves on warriors— whom they lure to their house in a bamboo forest perpetually shrouded in fog and shadow—but the women become conflicted when faced with Gintoki (Kichiemon Nakamura), a loved one sent to dispatch them. This is a work of mesmerizing imagery and eerie atmosphere; Yone and Shige float through the picture with spooky grace, and even their mysterious dwelling resembles a supernatural creature, while the tranquil woodland becomes enveloped in doom and dread with the coming of night. One of the best Japanese ghost stories—full of feminist rage and visual grace—Kuroneko was almost forgotten on this side of the ocean until a 2010 theatrical revival resurrected interest in the film. Extras include new and archival interviews, and a booklet. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)