This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Connor Willumsen) was limited to 1,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
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!
On a drunken walk home, bohemian drug-dealer Kumi (Kumiko Ota) discovers an abandoned building on the outskirts of Tokyo. Attracted by the vast and untapped space rampant with luxuriant vegetation, she promptly sells all of her belongings and retreats from the world. She carves an island out of the concrete squat and wiles her days away growing cabbage and expressing herself in any way she pleases.
Following his gonzo hachimiri (8mm) debut SAINT TERRORISM (1980) and the memorable CARNIVAL IN THE NIGHT (1981), Masashi Yamamoto offers his defining punk statement. Winner of a Special Mention at the 1987 Locarno International Film Festival, ROBINSON'S GARDEN is a rare, radical vision of a marginal, multicultural Tokyo. Think Punk Rock rather than City Pop (the soundtrack features Jagatara, Hamza El Din, and Yoichiro Yoshikawa), this film offers a stark contrast to the sights of financial prosperity brought forth by the films of the Economic Bubble era. Lensed by Tom DiCillo (LIVING IN OBLIVION, JOHNNY SUEDE), it instead shares much in common with the No Wave films the cinematographer pioneered alongside Jim Jarmusch (STRANGER THAN PARADISE). An unsung, anticapitalist masterwork.
directed by: Masashi Yamamoto
starring: Kumiko Ohta,Kou Machida
1987 / 119 min / 1.85:1 / Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.625 / 5 from 48 reviews.
Robinson's Garden is a highly regarded, eccentric film with beautiful artwork, receiving positive feedback for its unique vision and visual style. The Blu-ray release includes excellent artwork and booklet, enhancing the viewing experience. This film offers a stark contrast to the Economic Bubble era, presenting a radical vision of multicultural Tokyo.
Review topics: ["buy","work","film","release","artwork","movie","extras","garden","pacing","slipcover","watch","characters","disc","label","cinematography","flick"].
"Robinson’s Garden is a hypnotic and visually poetic film that captures isolation and urban decay with remarkable power. Its sparse dialogue and dreamlike pacing create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and haunting. The movie stands as a bold, meditative work of independent cinema that lingers in the mind long after it ends."
"Didn't get the slipcover, but who cares. The extras include an interview with Tom DeCillo which is pretty darn cool. Really vibrantly imagined."
"Top quality vibes all around."
"Great release from Kani that I would have otherwise not seen. Thank you, Kani! Robinson’s Garden is just cool—lots to look at here if you like watching cultures that are different than your own. I wish I could’ve gotten the slipcase, but oh well the artwork on the standard is great."
"Absolutely loved this. Charming characters, full of life, visually gorgeous. I will be revising this one again soon, thanks Kani for all the amazing discoveries!"
"A little conflicted on this one. Loved the cool neon sets and how this was filmed (that shot of the tree and the moon. . . ). Appreciate the off beat quirkiness, the free wheeling stream of consciousness. But that leads to my main problem: A whole lot of nothing is going on here tbh. At times, my mind would wander and I'd keep checking how much time was left. The pacing wasn't the best. So yeah. . . this one lands squarely in the middle for me. Dug what they were going for, even if it didn't always work. Glad to see Kani putting out films like this that are different, though!"
"great artwork and a cool movie! Def pick up if you like obscure Japanese stuff."
"Blind buy during HBF sale. What a wonderful film. Defies categorisation. Colorful and wild. Highly recommended"
"Superb release by Kani with some excellent extras and a booklet contains fascinating behind the scenes photos"
"Great release, love the soundtrack very rewarding watch"
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