Tetsuo: The Iron Man & Tetsuo II: Body Hammer
February 8th 2007 00:00
Japanese maverick Tsukamoto made Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) almost single-handedly. Not only did he write and direct the super-low-budget sf-horror, but he also produced, edited, art directed and co-starred. He co-shot the movie (in 16mm) with his female lead actor, Kei Fujiwara, who provided the costume design.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man is cinematic nightmare incarnate. It is often compared to David Lynch’s Eraserhead (1976), although in many respects this does it a disservice. Yes, both films are in monochrome, yes both films have a non-linear narrative, and yes, both films are experimental in their use of editing, visual design and thematic content. And yes, both films are deeply unsettling viewing experiences.
The businessman then battles with a visceral intrusion in his mind; that of the fetishist, who is controlling him, turning him into a crazed automaton (he had neglected to help the accident victim, instead making out with his lover, and so the fetishist is now committing a kind of psychic-cyber-revenge).
Three years later Shinya Tsukamoto made a kind of sequel-cum-remake entitled Tetsuo II: Body Hammer (1992). This time he was able to pull out the big guns; dark rich 35mm colour, and once again he commanded the main creative and technical capacities.
Unhinge your mind and embrace the cold gun metal of Tetsuo.
And here for the curious and twisted cyber-perverts is a few sequences from The Iron Man. Warning! This clip is not very work-safe.
* images on this page are courtesy of beyondhollywood.com
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Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The Tetsuo films are so unique and effective that once viewed they are always with you. Rank right up there in the echelons of Asian cinema for me too.
Love the choice of clip, certainly shows first timers what they are in for.
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Damo
Love the way the Japanese look at the world.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I was lucky enough to see both of these on the big screen at a NZ film festival years ago (around the time of Body Hammer's release I think). They both had late night weekend sessions. I was totally blitzed for the screenings - as you do - and I remember the print of Tetsuo had no English subtitles, but as there is very little dialogue, it didn't really matter, like Eraserhead, its almost entirely a visual narrative. It was an intense experience to say the least.
Watching Body Hammer on the huge Embassy screen (Wellington, the cinema Peter Jackson had revamped for the Lord of the Rings Australasian premiere), was mind-blowing. My friend and I were hammered both herbaceously and then audio-visually ....
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
(this way I can scroll down quickly and avoid all the horrible pictures)...
I have to look at them the other way...*cringe*
Comment by Sisi
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile