88 Films is proud to announce the North American Blu-ray premieres of three extraordinary Asian films: “Picture of a Nymph” on March 10th, and “Sakuran” and “Helter Skelter” arriving March 24th.
“Picture of a Nymph” features a supernatural martial arts extravaganza from Hong Kong. “Sakuran” and “Helter Skelter” are from Japan’s visually innovative director Mika Ninagawa. “Sakuran” focuses on a prostitute coming of age in one of ancient Japan’s most notorious brothel districts. “Helter Skelter” exposes the raw truth about Tokyo’s top model and how she maintains her envious beauty. The trio of limited edition releases are loaded with bonus content.
“Picture of a Nymph” is a classic xianxia horror film about the fight against destructive demons and seducing an alluring spirit. Taoist scholar Tsui Hung-Chuen (Lawrence Ng, “Dragon Inn”) burns down his house during a battle with a demon. He takes refuge with monks Shih Erh (Yuen Biao, “Project A”) and Wu Men-Chu (Wu Ma, “A Chinese Ghost Story”) in an effort to keep the demons away. Their Holy protection doesn’t stop the spirit Mo Chiu (Joey Wang, “God of Gamblers”) from entering Tsui’s life. The wicked King Ghost (Elizabeth Lee, “Long Arm of the Law, Part III”) controls Mo Chiu. Tsui paints a portrait of Mo Chiu with the hopes that they can take refuge within the art. Can paint and canvas be a sanctuary for their love or just a new mystical battlefield?
Directed by Wu Ma (“The Shaolin Avengers”) and produced by Sammo Hung (“Encounters Of The Spooky Kind”), “Picture of a Nymph” unleashes the gravity-defying melee when the monks encounter insatiable demons. The forbidden romance between Tsui and Mo Chiu also takes flight inside the artwork. The Taoist’s soul and heart are at risk in this spiritual adventure.
Special Features:
• 2K restoration of the original negative
• Remastered original Cantonese monaural soundtrack
• Newly translated English subtitles
• Rigid slip case with new artwork by Sean Longmore
• A forty-page perfect-bound book
• A premium art card
• Two audio commentaries with Frank Djeng and David West
• Image gallery
• Original theatrical trailer
Available on Blu-ray March 10th
“Sakuran” is an unflinching drama about Kiyaho (Anna Tsuchiya, “Kamikaze Girls”) growing up in ancient Edo’s notorious Yoshiwara red light district. She is sold to a high-end brothel as a young girl, where the older working women train her to be the ideal courtesan for elite visitors. She is defiant against this career being inflicted upon her. The brothel owners attempt to break her resistance, but she refuses to fully embrace the lifestyle of a prostitute.
She dreams of the freedom that will supposedly arrive when a dormant cherry tree blossoms once more. When she is old enough to work, her wild streak proves both provocative and enticing to the clients, and Kiyaho becomes the top earner in the house in record time. Her attitude upsets the other prostitutes, who grow extremely jealous of her success and beauty. Can Kiyaho find happiness in her brothel life?
“Sakuran” is the theatrical feature debut of director Mika Ninagawa, an award-winning photographer/filmmaker. The film offers visually striking colors and art design, complemented by a score created by J pop queen Shiina Ringo.
Special Features:
• Original stereo audio soundtrack
• 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio
• Newly translated English subtitles
• Audio commentary by Josh Slater-Williams
• An Introduction by Amber T.
• Stills gallery
• Trailers
• Limited edition booklet with an essay by Jasper Sharp
Available on Blu-ray March 24th
“Helter Skelter” journeys to the dreamy land of high fashion and beautiful people for a body horror nightmare. Lilico (Erika Sawajiri) stands at the top of the modeling world, influencing an army of teen girls through fashion choices and advertising endorsements. The cover of every magazine in Tokyo features her latest look. Voracious and ambitious, Lilico will do anything to maintain her prime position. This includes seducing the right people to elevate her career and have others perform her dirty work.
A willingness to use a cosmetic surgery facility that engages in revolutionary and severely illegal procedures results in her body soon suffering the consequences of these cutting-edge enhancements. What new extremes will she embrace to restore her flawless flesh and remove any challengers to her crown?
Director Mika Ninagawa previously worked as a major fashion photographer, and her knowledge of the industry can be felt in the exquisite, colorful imagery that visually elevates Helter Skelter.
Special Features:
• Original stereo audio soundtrack
• 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio
• Newly translated English subtitles
• Audio commentary by Tori Potenza and Amber T.
• Interviews with Erika Sawaji and director Mika Ninagawa
• Behind-the-scenes footage
• A production site press conference
• A Japanese premier stage greeting
• A Taipei Film Festival introduction by Mika Ninagawa
• Stills gallery
• Teasers and trailers
• A limited edition booklet with an essay by Violet Burns
Available on Blu-ray March 24th
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