Introducing Kuroneko
Hot on the heels of the hit theatrical run of Nobuhiko Obayashi’s cult sensation House, Janus Films is premiering another unsung Japanese horror movie with a feline twist. Kuroneko (Black Cat), a chilling 1968 ghost story directed by the incredible (and still going strong at ninety-eight!) Kaneto Shindo, opens today at New York’s Film Forum, in a new 35 mm print. According to Janus Films’ Sarah Finklea, Kuroneko will be a real discovery for audiences: “This film hasn't been available theatrically for a very long time, and it hasn’t been on home video in the U.S. at all.” Originally, Janus planned to bring House and Kuroneko out together (“A nice Japanese demon cat double bill!” exclaims Finklea), but they soon realized that the latter film, with its spare, hypnotic rhythm, needed a release of its own. If you’ve seen Shindo’s exquisitely scary Onibaba, you know you're in for a treat. Kuroneko will creep its way to Boston, Portland, Los Angeles, and beyond in the coming months. Read the great reviews so far!
