In The Realm of the Senses concerns the s*xual relationship between a hotel manager (Kichizo) and a maid (Sada).

Trigger warning- this film is an arthouse film and hence, not my usual fare. There are no chainsaws, zombies or apocalyptic dystopias.

But there is smut. In fact, the film was massively controversial on its original release due to the nature of proceedings.

I found the film to be a beautifully crafted examination of power relations between the s*xes and can fully understand why it’s on the Criterion Collection. In fact it reminded me of Women In Love and Last Tango In Paris, both also massively controversial in the same timeframe.

There are those arthouse aficionados who say Realm is just p*rn dressed up as art. Utter rubbish. I’m yet to see smut as well directed, photographed, acted or written as this.

4 out of 5 stars