The unreliable witch, often known for her unpredictable behavior and questionable magic skills, came from a peculiar family background. Born into a lineage of infamous witches and wizards, her family circumstances were far from ordinary. Growing up, the unreliable witch was surrounded by a plethora of quirky and eccentric relatives, all of whom had their unique magical abilities. They lived in a ramshackle, old cottage tucked away in a remote forest, which was said to possess mysterious powers of its own. With no neighbors nearby, the unreliable witch's family enjoyed a secluded existence, allowing them to practice their magic undisturbed. Her parents, both skilled witches in their own right, were renowned for their unconventional approach to magic.
There’s quite a lot going on in Blind Woman’s Curse and not all of it always makes sense. Although traditionally yakuza movies can have quite simple plots - A wants B’s territory/girl/social standing and is prepared to go to great lengths to get it - Blind Woman’s Curse is definitely among the more complex of these films. In no particular order the elements of the ‘plot’ include Akemi and her responsibility towards her soldiers versus her guilt about the various things being a yakuza boss entails, the blind swordswoman and evil looking black cat with a taste for blood, not to mention her deformed hunchbacked henchman(!), a random would-be gangster who dresses in Western clothes apart from his bright red loincloth and a serial killing gangster who likes removing the tattoos from his victims. Oh, there’s also a subplot about a nice yakuza and the ex-gangster boss of a popular restaurant that all the other yakuza seem to like to frequent. It’s quite pointless trying to piece all of this together into something that’s totally coherent, but to be honest that’s all part of the fun. It’s all very strange and confusing but if you just let yourself go with it and embrace the madness it’s all the more enjoyable.
In no particular order the elements of the plot include Akemi and her responsibility towards her soldiers versus her guilt about the various things being a yakuza boss entails, the blind swordswoman and evil looking black cat with a taste for blood, not to mention her deformed hunchbacked henchman. Made for Nikkatsu just before they moved exclusively into the Roman Porno line, the film does have its fair share of artistic bared flesh and salacious content, albeit not to the extent of some other films from this period.
Her parents, both skilled witches in their own right, were renowned for their unconventional approach to magic. They often experimented with unusual spells and potions, resulting in unexpected outcomes. This unorthodox approach to witchcraft became a defining trait for the unreliable witch, influencing her own magical capabilities and often leading to unpredictable results.
Blind Woman's Curse
Director Teruo Ishii, best known for his work in the ero guru nansensu (a combination of the English words erotic grotesque nonsense - which frankly does what it says on the tin) genre, presents one of his least cogent but entertainingly bizarre pictures in Blind Woman’s Curse. An odd mash-up of period yakuza film, proto-horror and a splash of pinky violence, Blind Woman’s Curse is a riot of strange, if not altogether comprehensible, bloody fun.
Akemi Tachibana is the leader of the dragon tattooed Tachibana Yakuza clan and, at the beginning of the film, is hell-bent on taking out the boss of a rival gang. Having accomplished her task and wounded the the boss’ younger sister in the process, a black cat turns up and begins enthusiastically lapping up all the spilt blood. Unsurprisingly, this last part is a recurring dream Akemi has been having whilst serving time for the aforementioned murder. On her release she once again takes up the reigns of her familial Yakuza group, but things are not quite as they were - there is a traitor among her men who wants to engineer a war with a rival gang to take both groups down and seize power for himself and a third party. Akemi doesn’t fall for this though and refuses a wholesale war - that is, until someone starts taking out her foot soldiers and friends! There’s also a new, blind girl in town who is herself a skilled fighter - who or what is she really fighting for though?
There’s quite a lot going on in Blind Woman’s Curse and not all of it always makes sense. Although traditionally yakuza movies can have quite simple plots - A wants B’s territory/girl/social standing and is prepared to go to great lengths to get it - Blind Woman’s Curse is definitely among the more complex of these films. In no particular order the elements of the ‘plot’ include Akemi and her responsibility towards her soldiers versus her guilt about the various things being a yakuza boss entails, the blind swordswoman and evil looking black cat with a taste for blood, not to mention her deformed hunchbacked henchman(!), a random would-be gangster who dresses in Western clothes apart from his bright red loincloth and a serial killing gangster who likes removing the tattoos from his victims. Oh, there’s also a subplot about a nice yakuza and the ex-gangster boss of a popular restaurant that all the other yakuza seem to like to frequent. It’s quite pointless trying to piece all of this together into something that’s totally coherent, but to be honest that’s all part of the fun. It’s all very strange and confusing but if you just let yourself go with it and embrace the madness it’s all the more enjoyable.
Teruo Ishii went on to gather ‘acclaim’ for films with such enticing titles as Shogun’s Joy of Torture (the first in a series of films entitled The Joy of Torture) and Horrors of the Malformed Men, so Blind Woman’s Curse is actually a fairly restrained effort from Japan’s king of cult. Made for Nikkatsu just before they moved exclusively into the Roman Porno line, the film does have its fair share of ‘artistic’ bared flesh and salacious content, albeit not to the extent of some other films from this period. Ishii allows the various bizarre incidents to mingle freely in an over-the-top, theatrical atmosphere which is quite forgiving to its overall lack of consistency. Nothing in this film should work, but it does and has a fine old time doing so.
Blind Woman’s Curse also marks the first leading role for Meiko Kaji, who would go on to become a cultural icon in the following decades. Best known for her role in the Lady Snowblood, Female Prisoner Scorpion and Stray Cat Rock series of films, Kaji is one of the superstars of late Sixties counter-culture. She doesn’t really have that big of a role here despite being the lead (though the English title distorts this somewhat by putting The Blind Woman into the title), but her already assured performance helps give this totally crazy film some sort of grounding. She’s ably assisted by a strong supporting cast who know exactly what sort of film it is they’re in.
A lowbrow cult classic, Blind Woman’s Curse may be swimming at the shallow end but it’s having more fun than some of its deep sea diving cousins. Infinitely strange, confusing and over-the-top, it doesn’t make very much sense but manages to make not making much sense work for it. Not quite as good as some of the more famous exploitation films of the period (many of them also starring Kaji), Blind Woman’s Curse has been neglected until recently but once again Arrow Films have come to the rescue and returned it to its rightful place, as they’re shortly to do for the Stray Cat Rock films. Not for those who prefer a clearly defined narrative, Blind Woman’s Curse is an excellent dose of nonsensical fun which is far more enjoyable than it has any right to be.
Extras:
Dual format Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack.
Japanese with optional English subtitles; audio commentary from Japanese film expert Jasper Sharp; original trailer; trailers for four of the Stray Cat Rock films starring Meiko Kaji; reversible sleeve design; collector's booklet featuring essay by Midnight Eye's Tom Mes; production stills (not available for review).
Teruo Ishii went on to gather ‘acclaim’ for films with such enticing titles as Shogun’s Joy of Torture (the first in a series of films entitled The Joy of Torture) and Horrors of the Malformed Men, so Blind Woman’s Curse is actually a fairly restrained effort from Japan’s king of cult. Made for Nikkatsu just before they moved exclusively into the Roman Porno line, the film does have its fair share of ‘artistic’ bared flesh and salacious content, albeit not to the extent of some other films from this period. Ishii allows the various bizarre incidents to mingle freely in an over-the-top, theatrical atmosphere which is quite forgiving to its overall lack of consistency. Nothing in this film should work, but it does and has a fine old time doing so.
Despite the chaos and unpredictability that surrounded her family, the unreliable witch's upbringing was filled with love and a deep sense of camaraderie. Her siblings, each with their own peculiarities, formed a tight-knit bond, supporting and encouraging one another in their magical endeavors. From practicing levitation charms in the living room to brewing potions in the kitchen, the cottage was always buzzing with magical activity and laughter. However, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows in the unreliable witch's family. There were moments of frustration and chaos, particularly when spells went awry or when their experiments resulted in unintended consequences. Yet, they faced these challenges together, learning from their mistakes and continuing to grow as witches. It was through these experiences that the unreliable witch developed her resourcefulness and resilience, traits that would later define her own magical journey. Despite the unconventional upbringing, the unreliable witch's family instilled in her a deep sense of curiosity and adventure. They taught her the value of embracing her uniqueness, celebrating her individuality, and never shying away from pushing the boundaries of magic. It was these qualities that would later make her an intriguing and enigmatic figure among both the magical and non-magical communities. In essence, the unreliable witch's family circumstances played a critical role in shaping her character and magical abilities. The combination of love, chaos, and endless experimentation created the perfect environment for her to embrace her quirks and discover her true potential. And although her family may have been deemed eccentric and unreliable by some, to the unreliable witch, they were the foundation upon which her magical journey was built..
Reviews for "The Unreliable Wotch's Family Legacy: Breaking Generational Patterns"
1. John - 2 stars
I didn't enjoy reading "The Family Circumstances of the Unreliable Wotch". The plot was confusing and scattered, making it difficult to follow. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them or care about their story. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found the book to be disjointed and unsatisfying.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"The Family Circumstances of the Unreliable Wotch" was a disappointing read for me. The writing style was pretentious and overly flowery, making it hard to understand the intended message. The dialogue between characters felt forced and unrealistic, contributing to the overall lack of authenticity in the story. Additionally, the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends unresolved. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging story.
3. David - 2 stars
I found "The Family Circumstances of the Unreliable Wotch" to be a tedious read. The plot was convoluted and meandering, making it difficult to stay engaged. The author seemed more focused on showcasing their writing skills rather than crafting a compelling story. The characters were unlikable and lacked any relatability, which made it hard to invest in their journey. Overall, I didn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 2 stars
"The Family Circumstances of the Unreliable Wotch" was a confusing and disjointed novel. The narrative structure switched between different perspectives and timelines, making it hard to keep track of the story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long periods of stagnation followed by rushed and unresolved plot points. Overall, this book left me feeling unsatisfied and frustrated.