AUDITION
Director: Takashi Miike Run Time: 115 min. Release Year: 1999 Language: Japanese
Starring: Eihi Shiina, Jun Kunimura, Renji Ishibashi, Ryo Ishibashi, Tetsu Sawaki
“Along with PSYCHO, AUDITION is one of the great gearshift movies, starting out as one thing and then transitioning on a dime into something else entirely.” — Scott Tobais, AV Club
One of the most infamous, impactful, and gut-wrenching Japanese horror films ever made returns to the big screen! Recent widower (and movie producer) Shigeharu is looking for a new wife. But instead of going the usual route, he decides to hold “auditions” for a movie that doesn’t exist. Shigeharu quickly becomes enchanted with Asami, a spooky twenty-something who is responsive to his charms. But things aren’t what they seem. AUDITION was the turn-of-the-millenium flash point that signaled the talent of Takashi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER). With this movie, Miike delivers a nerve-shredding exploration of male fears and the stereotype of submissive Japanese women. Shocking audiences worldwide with its white-knuckle finale and ingenious slow-burn build-up, AUDITION was responsible for creating a fresh new wave of Asian horror. And we’re eternally grateful.