Named after Yasujiro Ozu’s custom-made, tatami-level, crab-like tripod, Kani is a new home video label dedicated to leveling the gaze and furthering the understanding of Asian cinema in North America. Focused on genre-defying films, Kani aims to expand the canon, bolster up-and-coming filmmakers and reintroduce repertory classics in context. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!
Lost and nihilistic drifter Utamaro chances upon Giko, a female-presenting shoplifter who immediately catches his eye. One thing leads to another and the couple soon find themselves on the lam for murder. This provides for a delightful pretext to explore notions of societal malaise, free love and gender fluidity in a rapidly evolving 1970s Japan, as both Utamaro and Giko begin to know each other on the road by way of a variety of encounters, alternating between surrealistic, psychedelic and sexual.
The sole feature film directed by Isao Fujisawa, who learned his craft as an assistant director to Hiroshi Teshigahara on New Wave classics such as Woman in the Dunes and The Face of Another, Bye Bye Love is a deeply personal reckoning with sexual identity. Bridging the distance between Pierrot le fou, Bonnie and Clyde and Funeral Parade of Roses with an impeccable sense of style, splashes of Godardian color as well as strong anti-imperialist and existentialist themes, this iconic jishu eiga (self-produced film) was long thought lost until recently shepherded towards restoration by director and programmer Akihiro Suzuki. A new landmark of Japanese queer cinema, it is now distributed in North America for the very first time in 50 years.
“Anticipates the transgressive New Queer Cinema movies of Gregg Araki and Gus Van Sant...” — Luke Goodsell, Metrograph
“A veritable unicorn fossil unearthed from the Pleistocene bogland of 1974 and spit-shined for our retro-retro delectation… Bye Bye Love is pure snot-nosed anti-establishment indie heaven...” — Michael Atkinson, The Village Voice
“Presciently offers an accomplished representation of queer love and genderfluid identity nailing both ends of the trans experience: the reassuring euphoria when gender identity and presentation align and the thorny, insidious envy of cisgender people." — Ren Scateni, BFMAF
directed by: Isao Fujisawa
starring: Ren Tamura, Miyagi Ichijo, Puzo Morita, Atsuko Ami, Satomi Oki, Enver Altenbay
1974 / 85 min / 1.85:1 / Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.787234 / 5 from 47 reviews.
Bye Bye Love, a 1974 Japanese film directed by Isao Fujisawa, has been restored and is now available for the first time in North America. This film, praised for its exploration of gender fluidity and societal themes, is a significant addition to any film collection. The release by Kani, a home video label dedicated to Asian cinema, has been met with positive feedback from customers.
Review topics: ["quality","shipping","picture","buy","film","discovery","release","movie","cinema","kani","restoration","interviews","flick","slipcover","scenes","story","extras"].
"The package quality was very high, and the film itself was very different, but interesting never-the-less. I also liked the interviews included as well. The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
"Stoked to pick up a blu-ray release of this underground soon to be classic, a recent discovery that toured the film festivals last year and I’ve been dying to get a copy since. Kani are smashing it as always. This film is very cool and has some of the coolest imagery (particularly the electrifying love scenes!). Shipping was great, arrived quickly."
"Great film! Very artistic and somber. Minimal extras but slipcover is very nice."
"This film started a bit slow for me but it's charm grew on me immensely. Loved seeing both the cityscapes and the coastal rural scenes. The two leads were attractive, particularly the lead queer character, and the Godard influence on editing, design and whimsy was definitely evident. I could imagine Gregg Araki being influenced by this if he had seen it. Kani is one of my fave sub labels and this is a fabulous release from them."
"I’m always excited to see what gems the wonderful label Kani unearths, but this time I’m a bit at a loss. The film was just too experimental for me, and I almost gave up when the two protagonists spent what felt like 30 minutes throwing random objects at each other’s heads… maybe I just wasn’t in the right mood for it? Still, I wanted to stick with it and watched the film all the way through, but it left me feeling pretty perplexed in the end… BUT: I’m definitely going to give it a second chance!"
"This was another great hit from Kani. Of course it was also another blind buy that I was happy I took a chance on. Yes, it is a sort of Bonnie and Clyde type of movie, but with a twist. The main character falls on love with someone he believes is a woman, but finds out she is really a transgender male. He is confused about his feelings at first, but decides he loves her anyway. Along the way they engage in a lot of crimes and are hunted by the police. The story is pretty well done, and is more like an art house film. I would recommend checking this one out."
"Fascinating film. As much of its time as it is for all time. A mix of aesthetics - 60s, 70s, rom com, crime drama, etc - brings an intuitive, poetic sense to both dialog and setting all through this fascinating film. The way it all blurs together reminds me of watercolors, it’s political aspects and Bonnie & Clyde style of staying dangerous, kept surprising me so wonderfully with each change of its tone. The stylized acting was excellent, varying from deadpan and naturalistic to antic and fourth-wall breaking. All through there is music, from gently sung (apparently) folk songs, to the continuing organ accompaniment soundtrack that carries moods along as well as the cinematography, sometimes in stark constrast. The accompanying booklet has essays that give perspecitve and context (there are also several essential-to-read reviews online). Interviews presented in special features are informative and engaging, instructive but never boring."
"Gosh this is such a great film. French new wave by way of 1970s Japan. Hard to believe this one was lost until 2018. Excellent release from Kani, as usual."
"Pretty great film. Decent enough picture quality given its source. Stunning artwork."
"Kani scores big with this wonderful piece of queer cinema from 1974. Quite avant garde and reminded me of the Godard film Pierrot Le Fou. Interesting characters and story. Will rewatch as soon as possible. Beautiful slip cover, great essay."
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