Hisayasu Satō (佐藤 寿保, Satō Hisayasu, born 15 August 1959 in Shizuoka City, Japan) is a Japanese exploitation film director. He has worked prolifically in the genre of pinku eiga films, which refers to Japanese films that prominently feature nudity or sexual content. His best-known works are the 1992 pink film The Bedroom and the 1996 V-Cinema splatter film Splatter: Naked Blood. He is known for his "sledgehammer" filmmaking style, and using his exploitation career to tackle serious subjects like obsession, alienation, perversion and voyeurism.[1]
Hisayasu Satō | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 15 August 1959 Shizuoka City, Japan |
| Occupation(s) | Film director Screenwriter |
| Years active | 1985–present |
He has been likened to Canadian director David Cronenberg[2] due to his penchant for body horror as well as dark eroticism. Along with fellow directors Kazuhiro Sano, Toshiki Satō and Takahisa Zeze, he is known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Pink" (ピンク四天王, pinku shitenno).[3]
Life and career
editSatō is a very prolific director, having directed about two dozen films in 1988 and 1989.[4] To date, he has directed more than fifty films dealing with eroticism, sadism, and horror among the lower classes of Japan.[5] He is famous for his "guerilla shooting technique" in which his actors appear on location in public and incorporate unknowing bystanders into the film.[1] One notorious example of this technique can be seen in Widow's Perverted Hell (1991) in which the lead actress, nude and bound in S&M gear, appears in a busy downtown location and begs confused passers-by to help her masturbate.[6] Allmovie comments, "Like Divine's memorable strut through the streets of Baltimore in Pink Flamingos, this scene was shot guerrilla-style, with no planning, and some of the reactions from unsuspecting pedestrians are priceless. Intended as a dark meditation on the unhinging effects of grief, the mondo aspects of its climactic scene makes the rather lackluster Mibojin Hentai Jigoku worth seeing."[7]
Satō's 1987 film Temptation of the Mask was important for several reasons. One of the first gay films produced by a major pink film director, the film also brought together three members of the shitenno for the first time. Takahisa Zeze worked as Satō's assistant director for the film, and through him began hiring future-director Kazuhiro Sano as an actor in his films. Zeze later recalled, "I remember once there was a gay pink film, and Satō wanted to use Sano, so I was the go-between and negotiated with him to appear in it. That's how we all started working together."[8]
Satō's second gay-themed film was Muscle, also known as Mad Ballroom Gala (1988),[9] a tribute to Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini.[10] For this film, Satō was awarded the grand prize at the Berlin Gay and Lesbian Festival in 1993.[11] From this and later films like Hunters' Sense of Touch (1995), Satō has gained a reputation as one of the few directors who can competently alternate between gay and heterosexual-themed pink films.[12]
Satō's 1990 film, Horse and Woman and Dog, another film featuring Kazuhiro Sano, became a success due to its scandalous scenes involving bestiality between the three characters in the film's title.[13] Another controversial, but highly regarded film from Satō is Promiscuous Wife: Disgraceful Torture (1992), for which the director hired the Paris cannibal, Issei Sagawa (aka Kazumasa Sagawa) to appear in a cameo role.[14][15]
Famed for the offensiveness of his films, Lolita: Vibrator Torture (1987), dealing with a homeless man who rapes and murders women, is often singled out as Satō's most repulsive film.[16][17] In his later works, Satō has collaborated with the female pink film writer, Kyoko Godai. While the violence in his films has sometimes been less extreme since this collaboration,[1] the Weissers, in their Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films call Godai and Satō's work on Uniform Punishment: Square Peg in Round Hole! (1991) "Perhaps the most mean-spirited satire on film.".[6] The film deals with a religious cult who worships a maniacal young woman who spends her nights hunting the city for people to rape and kill with the help of a male slave. Allmovie judges the film a "perversely entertaining jet-black satire" and a "dark but highly watchable softcore effort".[18]
Yoshiyuki Hayashida, editor of P*G magazine—currently the leading journal on pink film—and founder of the Pink Grand Prix, became a fan of Satō's work and wrote a script using many of Satō's major themes. Satō filmed the script as Uniform Masturbation: Virgin's Underpanties (1992).[19] Though Satō's style seems to have softened somewhat as the 1990s progressed, he was still capable of producing such works as Splatter: Naked Blood (1996),[9] which, Allmovie warns, "contains one of the most appalling scenes in Japanese horror, with a young woman mutilating and eating her own body."[20]
Partial filmography
edit| Release title[21] | Satō's title | Release date | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mad Love! Lolita Poaching 激愛！ロリータ密猟 Gekiai! Lolita Mitsuro |
Distorted Sense of Touch | February, 1985 | Shishi Toei Central |
| Sex Virgin Unit: Party of Beasts SEX乙女隊 獣たちの宴 Sex Otome-tai: Kemonotachi no Utage |
Zero Flight | June 1985 | Shishi Toei Central |
| Wife Collector 人妻コレクター Hitozume Collector |
Decaying Town | 1985-09-28 | Shishi Toei Central |
| Office Lady Rape: Disgrace! OL暴行汚す OL Boko: Yogosu! |
Save the Last Dance for Me | July 1986 | Shintōhō Eiga/Kokuei |
| Uniform Virgin: The Prey 制服処女 ザ・えじき Seifuku Shojo: The Ejiki |
Explosion... | 1986-08-09 | Nikkatsu Shishi |
| Exciting Eros: Hot Skin エキサイティング・エロ 熱い肌 Exciting Ero: Atsui Hada |
Gimme Shelter | October 1986 | Shishi Million Film |
| Rape Climax! 暴行クライマックス Boko Climax |
Water's High | April 1987 | Shishi Shintōhō Eiga |
| Lolita: Vibrator Torture ロリータ・バイブ責め Lolita Vibe-Zeme |
Secret Garden | 1987-09-19 | Shishi Nikkatsu |
| Genuine Rape 暴行本番 Boko Honban |
Pleasure Kill | October 1987 | Shishi Shintōhō Eiga |
| Temptation of the Mask 仮面の誘惑 Kamen no Yuwaku |
Temptation of the Mask | December 1987 | Shishi ENK Production |
| Hard Focus: Eavesdrop ハードフォーカス 盗聴＜ぬすみぎき＞ Hard Focus: Nusumi-giki |
Survey Map of a Paradise Lost | 1988-03-09 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Abnormal: Ugly Abuse アブノーマル 陰虐 Abnormal: Ingyaku |
Rewind | July 1988 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Pervert Ward: Torturing the White Uniform 変態病棟 白衣責め Hentai Byoto: Hakui-zeme |
Love Letter in the Sand | 1988-10-15 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Lolita Disgrace ロリータ恥辱 Lolita Chijoku |
Radical Hysteria Tour | 1988-12-23 | Shishi ENK |
| Mad Ballroom Gala 狂った舞踏会 Kurutta Butokai |
Asti: Lunar Eclipse Theater | March 1989 | Shishi ENK |
| Rape Between Sisters: Penetration! 姉妹連続レイプ えぐる！ Shimai Renzoku Rape: Eguru! |
Welcome to the Illusion | 1989-03-04 | Shishi Excess |
| Ecstasy Game 陶酔遊戯 Tosui Yugi |
Bondage Ecstasy | May 1989 | ENK Productions |
| Pervert Ward: S&M Clinic 変態病棟 SM診療室 Hentai Byoto: SM Shinryo-shitsu |
Fuga Music for Alpha and Beta | 1989-09-02 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Beauty Reporter: Rape Broadcast 美人レポーター 暴行生中継 Bijin Reporter: Boko Nama-chukei |
Love Obsession | 1989-10-07 | Shishi Shintōhō Eiga |
| Naked Action: College Girl Rape Edition 半裸本番 女子大生暴行篇 Hanra Honban: Joshidaisei Boko-hen |
Psychic Rose | January 1990 | Media Top/Shintōhō Eiga |
| Serial Rape: Perverted Experiment 連続レイプ 変態実験 Renzoku Rape: Hentai Jikken |
Ki*Ra*Ra | February 1990 | Shishi Excess |
| Rapist with Handcuffs: Defile! 手錠暴行魔 いたぶる！ Tejo Boko-ma: Itaburu! |
Interlocking Locks | May 1990 | Shishi Excess |
| Horse and Woman and Dog 馬と女と犬 Uma to Onna to Inu |
Poaching by the Water | May 1990 | Media Top/Shintōhō Eiga |
| Office Lady Rape: Devouring the Giant Tits OL連続レイプ 巨乳むさぼる OL Renzoku Rape: Kyonyu Musaboru |
Slush | September 1990 | Shishi Excess |
| Special Lesson: Perverted Sex Education スペシャルレッスン 変態性教育 Special Lesson: Hentai Sei-kyoiku |
The Gods Have a Nervous Breakdown | September 1990 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Hidden Video Maniac: Uniform Hunting 制服盗聴魔 激射・なぶる！ Seifuku Nusumi-dori-ma: Gekisha Naburu |
Naked City | December 1990 | Shishi Excess |
| Lesbian Rape: Sweet Honey Juice レズビアンレイプ 甘い蜜汁 Lesbian Rape: Amai Mitsujiru |
Silencer Made of Glass | 1991-02-02 | Shishi Shintōhō Eiga |
| Uniform Punishment: Square Peg in Roung Hole! 制服私刑 ねじり込め！ Seifuku Lynch: Nejirikome! |
Just an Illusion | 1991-03-01 | Shishi Excess |
| Widow's Perverted Hell 未亡人変態地獄 Mibojin Hentai Jigoku |
Look Into Me | 1991-04-26 | Shishi Excess |
| Hidden Video Report: Dark Shot! 盗撮レポート 陰写！ Nusumidori Report: Insha! |
Turtle Vision | 1991-07-20 | Shintōhō Eiga |
| New Wife's Private Parts: Caress 新妻下半身 わしづかみ Nizuma Kahanshin: Washizukami |
Doll | 1991-11-22 | Shishi Excess |
| Lady of the Stable 馬小舎の令嬢 Umagoya no Reijo |
Wave | 1991-12-21 | Shintōhō Eiga |
| Real Action: Vibrator Punishment 本番バイブ 折檻 Honban: Vibe Sekken |
Symbol of Release | 1992-01-24 | Shishi Excess |
| Housewife Punishment: Triple Torture 人間拷問 三段責め Hitozuma Gomon: Sandan-zeme |
Labyrinth of Primary Colors | 1992-07-31 | Shishi Excess |
| Promiscuous Wife: Disgraceful Torture 浮気妻 恥辱責め Uwaki-zuma: Chijoku-zeme |
An Aria on Gazes | 1992-09-12 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Uniform Masturbation: Virgin's Underpanties 制服ONANIE 処女の下着 Seifuku Onanie: Shojo no Shitagi |
Close Dancing | 1992-10-10 | Shintōhō Eiga |
| S&M Group Wax Torture SM集団?責め SM Shudan Ro-zeme |
Dirty Blue | 1992-11-06 | Shishi Excess |
| Wife in Mourning: Pubic-Shaved Rope Slave 喪服妻 剃毛縄奴隷 Mofuku-zuma: Teimō Nawa-dorei |
Negation | 1993-02-05 | Shishi Excess |
| Real Time Tapping Report: Pillow Talk (生)盗聴リポート 痴話 Nama Tocho Report: Chiwa |
Kyrie Eleison | 1993-03-05 | Shintōhō Eiga |
| Pleasure Masturbation: New Wife Version 快感ONANIE 新妻篇 Kaikan Onanie: Niizuma-hen |
Light Sleep | 1993-05-28 | Shishi Excess |
| Real Action: Drink Up ナマ本番 飲み干す！ Nama Honban: Nomihosu! |
Angel in the Dark | 1993-08-13 | Shishi Excess |
| Molester's Train: Nasty Behavior 痴漢電車 いやらしい行為 Chikan Densha: Iyarashii Kōi |
Birthday | 1993-11-26 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Wife's Perverted Beauty Salon 人妻変態美容師 Hitozuma Hentai Biyoshitsu |
Dead End | 1994-01-14 | Shishi Excess |
| Molester and the Peeper: Gynecology Ward 痴漢と覗き 婦人科病練 Chikan to Nozoki: Fujin-ka Byoto |
Sick People | 1994-04-01 | Shishi Excess |
| Young Wife: Opening Juicy Thighs 若奥様 太股びらき Wakaoku-sama: Futomono-biraki |
Rental Love | 1994-06-17 | Shishi Excess |
| Filthy Wife: Wet いやらしい人妻 濡れる Iyarashii Hitozuma: Nureru |
Love - 0 = Infinity | 1994 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga |
| Wife in Heat: While Husband is Away すけべ妻 夫の留守に Sukebe-zuma: Otto no Rusu ni |
Rafureshia | 1995-01-06 | Shishi Excess |
| Hunters' Sense of Touch 狩人たちの触覚 Karyudo-tachi no Shokkaku |
Hunters' Sense of Touch | 1995-05-02 | ENK Productions |
| In the Thicket / New Rashomon 薮の中 Yabu no Naka |
1996-05-18 | Image Factory | |
| Splatter: Naked Blood 女虐/NAKED BLOOD Megyaku: Naked Blood |
1996-02-20 | TM Project/Museum | |
| Night of the Anatomical Doll 人体模型の夜 Jintai-mokei no Yoru |
1996-11-08 | Excellent Film/Toei Video | |
| Meet Me in the Dream: Wonderland 夢で逢いましょう Yume de Aimasho: Wonderland |
1996-02-09 | Pink Pineapple | |
| Soft Skin やわらかい肌 Yawarakai Hada |
1998-01-31 | Kokuei Shintōhō Eiga | |
| Scent of a Married Woman 人妻の値段 匂いたつ欲情 Hitozuma no Nedan: Nioutatsu Yokujou |
2001-28-12 | Legend Pictures | |
| Rampo Noir (segment: "The Caterpillar") 乱歩地獄 Ranpo Jigoku |
2005-05-11 | Albatros Film Toei | |
| The Tattooer 刺青 Si-Sei |
2006-24-03 | ArtPort Inc. | |
| Love & Loathing & Lulu & Ayano 名前のない女たち Namae no nai Onnatachi |
2010-04-09 | There's Enterprise Inc. Makotoya | |
| Hana-Dama: The Origin 華魂 Hana-Dama |
2014-18-01 | Shibuya Production | |
| Hana-Dama: Phantom 華魂 幻影 Hana-Dama: Gen'ei |
2016-30-04 | Shibuya Production | |
| The Eye's Dream 眼球の夢 Gankyu no yume |
2016-01-07 | Arrete Ton Cinema Stance Company | |
| Cute Devil 可愛い悪魔 Kawaii akuma |
2018-23-06 | Is Field |
Notes
edit- ^ a b c Weisser, Thomas; Yuko Mihara Weisser (1998). "Spotlight: Four Kings of Pink (Hisayasu Sato)". Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films. Miami: Vital Books : Asian Cult Cinema Publications. p. 463. ISBN 1-889288-52-7.
- ^ Sharp, Jasper (2008). Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema. Guildford: FAB Press. pp. 265–266. ISBN 978-1-903254-54-7.
- ^ Domenig, Roland (2002). "Vital flesh: the mysterious world of Pink Eiga". Archived from the original on 18 November 2004. Retrieved 6 October 2007.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Tejo Boko-ma: Itaburu!". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Gekiai! Lolita Mitsuro". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ a b Weisser, p.471.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Mibojin Hentai Jigoku". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ "Takahisa Zeze interview". midnighteye.com. Retrieved 4 October 2007.
- ^ a b McRoy, Jay (2008). Nightmare Japan: contemporary Japanese horror cinema. Contemporary cinema. Vol. 4. Rodopi. pp. 49–59. ISBN 978-90-420-2331-4.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Muscle". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Weisser, p.467.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Hunters' Sense of Touch". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Uma To Onna To Inu". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Weisser, p.473.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Apartment Wife: Promiscuous Wife: Disgraceful Torture". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Weisser, p.465.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Lolita: Vibrator Torture". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Seifuku Lynch: Nejirikome!". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Seifuku Onanie: Shojo No Shitagi". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Firsching, Robert. "Megyaku: Naked Blood". Allmovie. Retrieved 7 October 2007.
- ^ Filmography from Weisser, Thomas; Yuko Mihara Weisser (1998). "Spotlight: Four Kings of Pink (Hisayasu Sato)". Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films. Miami: Vital Books : Asian Cult Cinema Publications. pp. 463–479. ISBN 1-889288-52-7.; Hisayasu Sato at IMDb and "佐藤寿保 (Satō Hisayasu)". Japanese Movie Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 October 2007.
Bibliography
edit- Hunter, Jack. "Abnormal Ward: The Forbidden Visions of Hisayasu Sato" in Andy Black (ed), Necronomicon: The Journal of Horror and Erotic Cinema: Book Two, London: Creation Books, 1999, pp. 30–39.
- Koyama, Akirashi (24 February 2003). "Hisayasu Satō Interview" (in Japanese). channel.slowtrain.org. Archived from the original on 6 November 2003. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- Seveon, Julien. Le cinema enrage au Japon. France : 1st edition : Sulliver 2006 / 2nd edition : Rouge Profond 2009. ISBN 978-2-911199-85-1 (in French)
- Seveon, Julien. USA : "Interview with Hisayasu Sato" in Asian Cult Cinema #34, 1st quarter 2002.
- Weisser, Thomas; Yuko Mihara Weisser (1998). "Spotlight: Four Kings of Pink (Hisayasu Sato)". Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films. Miami: Vital Books : Asian Cult Cinema Publications. pp. 463–479. ISBN 1-889288-52-7.
External links
edit- Hisayasu Sato at IMDb
- "佐藤寿保 (Sato Hisayasu)". Japanese Movie Database (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 October 2007.