Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group
Special Thanks to Clint Weiler
Photo courtesy of Arrow Films. © KADOKAWA
Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win their new Blu-ray of Daiei's GIANTS AND TOYS (巨人と玩具, Kyojin to Gangu, 1958), a sharp and snappy corporate satire revolving around the ruthless machinations of a group of admen working in the confectionary industry.
Masumura's muse Ayako Wakao (THE BLUE SKY MAIDEN, RED ANGEL) stars as Otsuya, the daughter of a rich merchant, who is tempted by her lover, Shinsuke, a lowly employee of her father's, to elope. During their flight, Otsuya's beauty attracts the gaze of Seikichi, a mysterious master tattooist who sees her pristine white skin as the perfect canvas for his art. The image of the large demonic spider that he emblazons across Otsuya's back marks her as the property of another man, radically altering her relationships with all around her as her personality transforms under its influence.
Available for the first time outside of Japan, IREZUMI sports some of Japanese cinema's most respected talent of its day both in front of and behind the camera. The bewitching cinematography by Kazuo Miyagawa (RASHOMON, UGETSU) captures the sensual atmosphere of the period setting, while the script by Kaneto Shindo (ONIBABA, KURONEKO) lends a modern twist to this feverish meditation on obsession and the act of creation.
Arrow's IREZUMI Blu-ray offers a new 4K restoration of the film with the original uncompressed Japanese mono audio and optional English subtitles. Bonus Features include a brand new audio commentary by Japanese cinema scholar Japanese cinema scholar David Desser a newly filmed introduction by Japanese cinema expert Tony Rayns, a brand new visual essay by Asian cinema scholar Daisuke Miyao, the Original Trailer, an Image Gallery, and a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella. This first pressing also comes with an illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Thomas Lamarre and Daisuke Miyao. The SRP is $39.95.
OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES and INFORMATION
Prize:
A. There are four (4) prizes, each consisting of one (1) IREZUMI Blu-ray.
B. The prizes will be shipped to the contest winners so entrants must include a valid mailing address. This contest is only open to participants in the United States and Canada.
C. In the event that a winner chooses not to (or cannot) accept a prize, he or she forfeits all claim to that prize. D. One entry per person. Prizes are non-transferable. No substitution of prizes allowed.
Duration of contests:
A. The "IREZUMI" contest runs from June 18 until 11:59pm on July 2, 2021.
How to enter:
A. Submit your name, email address, and mailing address for the random drawing.
B. Be sure to write "IREZUMI" in the subject header of your email entry. SciFi Japan often runs multiple contests at the same time, so any entries without "IREZUMI" in the subject header will be discarded.
Determination of winners:
A. Only contestants who have submitted the requested information will be entered in the final drawing. The first four randomly drawn eligible entries will be judged the winners for this contest.
B. SciFi Japan is not responsible for typographical, electronic or other errors in Internet operation affecting the offering, outcome, administration of the contest or the announcement of prizes. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.
C. The decision of Arrow Video US and SciFi Japan is final. Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of the SciFi Japan judges, which are final and binding in all respects. D. Following the drawing, winners will be notified via email.
"IREZUMI" CONTEST
Email the following info to "IREZUMI" at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and you`re in the contest. Good luck! Name: Email address: Mailing Address:
About Arrow Films
Arrow Films is a leading independent entertainment distribution company, established in 1991. Operating in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, United States of America and Canada, Arrow Films is dedicated to supporting upcoming and established filmmakers of dynamic new cinema and developing an enviable slate of quality films that enjoy a lasting legacy across its award-winning branded labels, channels, and platforms.
About MVD Entertainment Group
MVD Entertainment Group is a full service music and movie distribution firm, exclusively representing thousands of audio and visual products for DVD, Bluray, CD, vinyl, and digital rights, worldwide. MVD also exclusively distributes a growing line of merchandise including limited edition collectibles, tee shirts, and more. “Serving Artists and Audiences†is MVD's purpose statement; it represents a commitment to the interests of the musicians, filmmakers, record labels, producers, managers, and every link in the supply chain. The customers are the Audience, from wholesalers, sub-distributors, major retail chains, online retailers, specialists, and independent mom and pop stores, all the way to the consumer. MVD Entertainment Group was founded in 1986 by Tom Seaman, an industry veteran with prior experience with The Record Hunter, Sam Goody, CBS Retail, and JEM Distribution. Tom, along with his family Elinor, Eve and Ed, initially focused on music videotapes. At the turn of the century, with the advent of DVD, MVD built a large catalog of exclusively distributed audiovisual content on DVDs, with special strength in music concert films, horror movies, documentaries, comedy, cult classics, and much more.