It’s Classic Horror, folks

It’s Classic Horror, folks

FARSANA JALEEL

For the first time in the history of IFFK, a package of horror films is in the offering for those who love to fear. ‘Kaidan Horror Classics Segment’- originally known as ‘Ayoshiki Bungo Kaidan, has been labeled as one of the most horrifying series in many International film festivals. The stories are  based on the Japanese folk tales, mostly on ghosts and supernatural powers from the Land of the Rising Sun.

            Unlike regular stereotyped horror films, the Kaidan collection stands out in its presentation and is known to transport the viewer into a surreal world. A set of four telefilms, each about 40 minutes are screened in the order ‘The Arm’ by Ochiai Masayuki, ‘The Whistler’ by Tsukamoto Shinya, ‘The Nose’ by Lee Sang-il and ‘The Days After ‘directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu.

   ‘The Arm’ portrays the story of a fascinating beautiful woman who lends her hand for one night to the man she loves, and the man takes away her detached arm. But when he reaches his house, the hand starts talking to him and strange things follow. ‘The Whistler’ is the film version of Osamu Dazai’s story about a young woman who sacrifices her love in the face of opposition from her father. ‘The Nose’ tells the tale of a recluse monk who tries to hide his long nose from the ridicule of society. One day the monk kills a boy who makes fun of his nose.

  The last film to be screened in the Kaidan Horror segment is ‘The Day After’   is about an eight year boy who visits a grieving couple every day.

  

  These movies in the package with rich art content are categorized as the classics of the Japanese movie industry.