The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession
The Oldest Profession

Film Movement Classics

The Oldest Profession

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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!

Details

This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Brandon Schaefer) is limited to 2,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Founded in 2002 as one of the first-ever subscription film services with its DVD-of-the-Month Film Club, Film Movement is now a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City. In 2015, Film Movement launched the reissue label Film Movement Classics featuring new restorations released theatrically as well as on home video, with an emphasis on films by auteur directors such as Eric Rohmer, Peter Greenaway and Takeshi Kitano.

19-year-old Tome is a sex worker who draws in customers around the red-light district of Osaka. She lives with her mentally disabled younger brother, Saneo, and her mother, Yone, who is also still active as a sex worker despite being over 40 years old. One day, after receiving a request for a young girl, Tome goes to the designated inn. On arrival she encounters Yone, who is unable to find work. A few days later, Yone tells Tome that she is pregnant...

20 years have passed since the Prostitution Prevention Law was enacted, and the red-light district is now gone. Nonetheless, sex work as a profession persists. Noboru Tanaka's controversial film (also known as ""Lusty Beast Market"") portrays sorrowful but strong and resilient women who have no other choice but to earn a living by selling their bodies.

directed by: Noboru Tanaka
starring: Meika Seri, Junko Miyashita, Genshû Hanayagi, Moeko Ezawa, Shiro Yumemura
1973 / 84 min / 2.39:1 / Japanese DTS-HD MA 1.0

Additional info:

  • Region A Blu-ray
  • ""Private Business & Public Obscenities"" video essay by Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp
  • 16 page booklet with a written essay by Japan Society film programmer Alexander Fee
  • English subtitles

Overall rating: 4.75 / 5 from 64 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Oldest Profession, directed by Noboru Tanaka, is a critically acclaimed independent film from Japan, praised for its powerful portrayal of resilient women in the sex industry. Limited to 2,000 units, this special edition includes a spot gloss slipcover and English subtitles. Available exclusively on the Film Movement website and select indie retailers.

Summary topics

  • Film Release: 27%
  • Film Quality: 27%

Review topics: ["quality","looks","packaging","work","buy","film","release","movie","performances","features","tone","drama","porno","professionals","anthology","watch","cinema","filmmakers","director"].

Review highlights

  • "Nicely done release with a beautiful cover to match." — Timothy R.
  • "Finally: a high quality release of the utterly unmissable The Oldest profession." — Ewan G.
  • "Another great release from Film Movement!" — Bryan K.

Reviews

A Tough Film, Given a Respectful Release

"This Release feels carefully handled, especially for a film this blunt and emotionally heavy. The Tone is not easy or sensational in the usual exploitation sense; it is sad, harsh, and strangely humane. The Features add useful context without overexplaining the film, which makes the disc feel like more than just a curiosity."

— JIN L. (5/5)

One of the oldest classics

"1974 gritty film from director Noboru Tanaka. It's a drama about the hard life of an "easy" woman, this masterpiece of japanese cinema depicts the atrocious situations that a sex worker has to go through to go ahead. The release from Film Movement Classics brings back an obscure and very human tale."

— Carlos R. (5/5)

FMC

"FMC has been on a roll with these Japanese releases. Really dark look at the oldest profession. Genius filmmaking and informative extras."

— Tony Z. (5/5)

Great Film

"Gritty, lonely, sexy. This film really pushes boundaries. If you appreciate art and aren’t prude this may be a film for you."

— Ismael F. (5/5)

Would Love More of This!

"I hope there are more Roman Porno films coming out soon from OCN. The tone of this one is much more serious than most, but what really sets it apart are the serious performances from everyone involved. It's clear that the filmmakers had a specific story they wanted to tell and they did a great job here!"

— Douglas M. (5/5)

A fascinating and elegant anthology

"The Oldest Profession is a very interesting anthology with a strong sense of style and a great lineup of directors. Like most anthology films, some segments worked better for me than others, but the overall concept and variety made it a really worthwhile watch. It is playful, clever, and full of historical and visual charm. A very nice release for a genuinely unique film."

— Thomas L. (5/5)

Film Movement are just AAAAAAAH

"Asian films? Sign me in B&W? Sign me in Film movement? Take my body n money"

— John R. (5/5)

Beautiful release

"Hoping for even more Tanaka after this! Great movie and awesome slipcover"

— Alexander H. (5/5)

Great old Japanese flick about

"Great old Japanese flick about the oldest profession."

— William B. (5/5)

Pink

"Pink"

— Miles M. (5/5)

Q&A

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