Written by: Michael Den Boer on November 20th, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 2005
Director: Shinji Imaoka
Cast: Konatsu, Rinako Hirasawa, Takeshi Ito, Youta Kawase, Kurumi Nanase, Mutsuo Yoshioka
DVD released: November 13th, 2007
Approximate running time: 65 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Letterboxed Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo Japanese
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Salvation Films/Sacrament
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $24.95
Synopsis: Akemi is in a dead end relationship where her husband cheats on her time and again. Kyoko is an aspiring Manga artist who has a rabid sex drive which she uses to help pay for everything she needs. Polar opposites Akemi and Kyoko form a bizarre relationship which starts off sexual before transforming into a stronger emotional based bond.
Having know seen more then three dozen Pink Films I can honestly say that I have never seen a Pink Film like Shinji Imaoka’s Frog Song. First off the handful of sex scenes that are in film are done with very little style and virtually all of the naughty bits including breast are out of frame a lot of the time. This looks like it was done intentionally judging by how the scenes are shot and edited which makes one wonder if the director wants to leave something for the viewers’ imagination.
Even with the lack of erotica during the sexual moments the film still manages to draw you in with its tale about two dysfunctional women and the choices they make sexually. Also some of the sex scenes involve S&M and can get pretty rough in their brutality. Sex is not portrayed in this film as a good thing as only bad things happen during or after sex in Frog Song.
It is at the core of Akemi and Kyoko unusual bond that the story revolves. The film does feature many moments that are borderline kitchen sink moments and while these are the weakest part of the film they do not take away from the films oddball ending which teeters between sorrow and song and dance. Ultimately Frog Song may not be a perverse as most Pink Films and yet the end result is a powerful tale about relationships and how fragile they are.
The DVD:
Frog Song is presented in a letterboxed widescreen which preserves the films original aspect ratio. The transfer looks better then I expected despite lacking an anamorphic enhancement. Colors look accurate, minimal print damage and outside of a few night time scenes details look strong and sharp. This release comes with one audio option Japanese and English subtitles have been included. Through out the film there are a handful of instances where hiss appears in the background besides this the audio mix is clear and clean.
Just like their other Pink Cinema release the extras related to the main feature are non-existent. Extras include Pink Cinema Introduction (Text Essay), a photo gallery (7 stills), Japanese Box (11 minute short film), Japanese Box Image Gallery (11 stills), trailers for other Redemption titles current on or soon to be released on DVD and a promo for the book “Blood & Honor”. Frog Song is the most unusual Pink film that I have seen to date and now it can reach a wider audience via Sacrament’s above average DVD release.