I have been on a bit of a Japanese Pinku film bender of late, and this is one of the more interesting of my recent purchases...
Notorious director, Hisayasu Sato directed this little gem in 1989. The fact that a Westerner can acquire obscure films such as this on DVD nearly 20 years after the fact is wonderful. We have Arts Magic to thank for a fine batch of classic Pinku films unleashed recently on the unsuspecting, always-hungry exploitation loving populous. Arts Magic is best known for lovingly bringing the delicious 'Angel Guts' series to us last year...
Anyways, 'Survey Map Of Paradise Lost' (or 'Hard Focus') is a very trippy and steamy, highly sexualized little slice of film. One of the things I like best about these films, is the swift and expeditious flow of the proceedings. Most of Sato's film clock in at around 65 minutes, which is the perfect length for materials of this nature. 'Hard Focus' can be a confusing experience for those that feel they need to understand the reasoning behind every little thing that occurs, as the story arc occasionally gets a bit twisted. But for me, that is part of the charm...
Me and my lovely girlfriend found this film to be VERY erotic. If you are into fetishized sexuality, you will very likely feel the same way. This was also an artfully shot film, very stylized...
I think that is one of the main reasons that Sato's films work so well. Many of the shots are framed up very artfully and composed perfectly. This film is full of original and exciting P.O.V. shots (the bath-tub stabbing, the camera under-the-grate shot, the video-within-a-video sequences). I also rather enjoyed the quasi-disturbing, evil late eighties Japanese Industrial soundtrack that would periodically surface during disorientating sequences...
If you are a lover of exotic and under-the-radar fare, Pinku films, or exploitation, you will probably enjoy this film. I realize movies of this nature aren't for everyone, but if you are reading this review, that most likely means that you are interested in this sort of cinematic fare. If that's the case, give it a shot. Just don't go in with expectations. Pornography this is not (but damn, is it ever hot!)
