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Zachary George Najarian-Najafi

8May12

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I liked the ghost story, but the political portions of the film were pretty boring. It has some great moments, but it doesn't reach the level of intensity or artistry that the two other films in the box set do. But for a debut, damn, is this some good stuff.

Daniela

21Apr12

Not as good as Sunna no Onna but still has some good moments. Another interesting female character. These films remind me of Ace in the Hole . . . cross national connection/influence?

chimère

17Sep11

To me it was very reminiscent of Herk Harvey's 'Carnival of Souls'. Similar juxtapositions of existence and non-existence, enigmatic omniscient presence haunting the protagonists, leading them to their demise. The experimentally thematic use of sound.. ..had the same mesmerizing effect in both films, made worlds apart, in the same year, exploring similar themes in a similar fashion. It's quite amazing.

Zachary George Najarian-Najafi likes this

JP. Schmidt

5Aug11

As many have stated before me -- an amazing first feature. There are moments throughout this film which, intentional or not, will be repeated in the best and most humble way possible for years to come.

Julian

4Jul11

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/film_programme/august_seasons/shinjuku_diaries_films_from_the_art_theatre_guild_of_ja The film will be screened at BFI Southbank as part of Shinjuku Diaries: Films from the Art Theatre Guild season (1st - 31st Aug) Screening on 2nd introduced by Go Hirasawa

trolley freak

21May11

Teshigahara's debut film is an unconventional ghost story/unresolved murder mystery. Stylish, surreal and difficult to describe but I found it riveting...

paul anderson

22Jan11

A visually striking film that also fully engaged me emotionally, with moments of humour small and true. I went to bed thinking about it and got up today still thinking about it and I'm pretty sure it influenced whatever made up my dreams in between. Terrific.

Zachary Curl

12Oct10

i still can't believe this was his first film!

Daniela and Tristan P. Teshigahara like this

Lucas Granero

15Sep10

Neorealismo japones, crudo y metafísico. Teshigahara llegó a mi vida.

Tristan P. Teshigahara likes this

All Is Grace

31Aug10

The first film I watched from Japanese New Wave, and it was great.

Devon Hansen

8Jul10

i want i want

sharunasbresson

29Apr10

great to see kafkian themes get such a serious treatment, with a well crafted balance between existential and political issues the editing is first class and the soundtrack is probably my favourite Takemitsu work for cinema.

dBainy

22Jan10

I am not big fan of ghost stories; reminds me of cheap tricks used for convenience. This is somewhat believable. Good cinematography.

Daniel S.

3Dec09

PITFALL was the first Hiroshi Teshigahara film for me. I liked the combination of genres found in it: ghost story, realism and crime story. The musical score is also very inventive especially in the first scene of the movie. Silence, silences and, coming from nowhere, a noise that could be human, animal or metallic. At last, the expression “Hell on Earth” finds here a visual treatment I won’t forget before long. Highly recommended.