In the Realm of the Senses is an arty excuse to watch two people having lots and lots of sex. Note: unsimulated sex. I knew going into it that the film was controversial, but I didn’t realize exactly how much bumping n’ grinding I would be witness to. Despite this fact, somehow I never found the film to be vulgar. I found it strangely romantic. Maybe it was all of those pretty silk kimonos. The story, based on a true incident, follows the affair turned sexual obsession of a man, Kichizo and one of his servants, Sada. Kichizo and Sada engage in sexual experiments and some next level PDA throughout the film. “Oh please leave the sake over there. Don’t mind us, we’re just putting food into Ada’s vagina. No, you can stay…” I wish I was being facetious, but this really happens.Their growing passion and lack of boundaries consume them, escalating in more and more dangerous sexual games. Nothing this hot blooded can last forever, and the film’s ending is as intense and over-the-top as their lovemaking. In the Realm of the Senses is one of the most controversial films of this period. In order to be completed, director Nagisa Ôshima had to ship the film to France for editing to avoid Japanese censorship. It’s been banned in many countries over the years, finally finding a home uncut in the Criterion Collection in 2009.
