Those who have seen my "Witch Pictures" lecture or "The Witching Hour" video essay for Film Comment should be aware by now of my adoration of the 1973 Japanese adult animated film, "Kanashimi no Belladonna" or "Belladonna of Sadness." It's a very trigger-warning-y, but gobsmackingly gorgeous water-colored psychedelic film roughly based on Michelet's 1862 book about witches, La Sorcière. It is what the word "trippy" was invented for, with a heaping helping of erotica, vengeance, and the dark arts added for good measure.
This May, a new 4K restoration of the film will be shown in theaters around the country, starting with NYC's Metrograph Cinema and SF's Alamo Drafthouse from May 6 - 11th.
There is also a "Belladonna of Sadness" book from Hat & Beard Press available for pre-order now. The limited-edition version includes a blu-ray of the film, rare posters, an enamel pin, and more.
Giddy with excitement about all of this.
Thank you so much for this suggestion! I just started reading your blog and this is probably my new favorite movie.
Posted by: Samantha | June 06, 2016 at 11:51 PM