A female golfer who has exceeded expectations to reach the top not only has to contend with being in demand, but also with the men in her life, her neighbors, her brother, and not to mention a stalker.
After a decade-long exile from the Japanese film industry, maverick director Seijun Suzuki returned with “A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness,” trading his signature yakuza shootouts for a more insidious kind of violence—psychological and sexual manipulation. What begins as a seemingly straightforward sports drama about a rookie golfer’s rise to fame morphs into a chilling erotic thriller, exposing the dark underbelly of celebrity, corporate exploitation, and obsessive desire.
Reiko (Yoko Shiraki), a stunning young model-turned-golfer, is handpicked by a marketing executive to become the new face of a sports brand. Her natural beauty and raw talent make her the perfect corporate pawn, but her rapid ascent attracts more than just admiration. Her boyfriend/manager, Miyake (Yoshio Harada), sees her as a financial opportunity rather than a partner, while an unhinged fan fixates on her with terrifying intensity. As Reiko’s life spirals out of control, Suzuki masterfully shifts the film’s tone from glossy sports drama into a nightmarish exploration of power, control, and the commodification of women.
Stylistically, Suzuki employs his trademark surrealism—stark soundstage backdrops, hypnotic slow-motion sequences, and a minimalist aesthetic that makes every emotional blow land with greater impact. The film’s eerie atmosphere lingers, particularly in scenes where Reiko’s tormentor toys with her sanity, prefiguring psychological thrillers like “Single White Female” and “Perfect Blue.” Yet beneath its psychedelic veneer lies a scathing critique of the entertainment industry, one that Suzuki knew all too well after being blacklisted by Nikkatsu for his avant-garde defiance.
“A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness” is as much about Reiko’s unraveling as it is about Suzuki’s own battles with studio control. The director paints fame as a gilded cage, where women—especially—are molded, consumed, and discarded. Shiraki delivers a haunting performance, her vulnerability and quiet despair making the film’s climax all the more devastating.
While the first act’s irreverence is memorable, once Suzuki unleashes the psychological horror, the film becomes unforgettable. A bizarre, hypnotic, and deeply cynical work, “A Tale of Sorrow and Sadness” proves that exploitation wears many masks—and none of them are pretty. It is a surreal and unsettling gem that blends sports drama with erotic thriller, cementing Suzuki’s reputation as a fearless provocateur. Not for the faint of heart, but essential for fans of cult cinema.
Available on Limited Edition Blu-ray™ April 29th from RADIANCE FILMS
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