Bakushi: The Incredible Lives of Rope-Masters

Ryuichi Hiroki
Japan
2007

It’s all based on ordinary communication.

94", 35mm
Color, Japanese with English subtitles

about the film

Ryuichi Hiroki, one of Japan’s most celebrated independent filmmakers, here explores the historic art of bondage, performed by sadomasochistic masters –Bakushi- who have turned rope-knotting into an art form. The documentary focuses on three of Japan’s leading practitioners of this erotic art form, known as Kinbaku, as they perform by elaborately binding their female models’ bodies using rope for specialist stage shows, magazine photo shoots and videos. Both the models -who do this by choice- and the rope artists are interviewed, giving insight into the history of S&M practices in Japan, which have a flourishing film, novel and manga culture built around them. The ceremonial detail and aesthetics of Kinbaku are particularly Japanese, but the film is also an intimate and universal exploration of human desires, of psychic wounds which seek physical satisfaction, of a state of being where pleasure is only allowed through absolute pain. Hiroki has produced a strikingly stylised, visually rich and oddly moving portrayal of a particularly human kind of practice.

Note: This film is intended for adult viewers only.

about the director

Born in 1954, Ryuichi Hiroki made his mark internationally with his 2003 film Vibrator, which took many prizes both in Japan and overseas. He was first trained as a director working in semi-erotic “pink films” and also directed the series of critically acclaimed documentary called The Chastisement (1985-1986).

awards

screenings

February 15 Friday, 3:00 PM AFM Fitaş Beyoğlu 2

February 24 Sunday, 5:00 PM AFM Fitaş Beyoğlu 2

March 01 Saturday, 7:00 PM AFM CEPA Ankara 2

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