Bara no Sôretsu (1969)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 105 minuten
Alternative titles: Funeral Parade of Roses / 薔薇の葬列
Country:
Japan
Directed by: Toshio Matsumoto
Stars: Shinnosuke Ikehata and Toyosaburo Uchiyama
IMDb score:
7,7 (8.279)
Releasedate: 13 September 1969
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Bara no Sôretsu plot
"Who's the fairest of them all?"
Eddie is a good-looking young transvestite who works as a "hostess" at a popular gay nightclub. He is secretly in love with the owner of the club, who is already having an affair with Leda, a jealous and older transvestite who works in the same nightclub. Eddie also suffers from strange flashbacks about his parents. His only clue is a family photo in which his father's face has been burned off by his mother with a cigarette. Using the photo and his vague dreams, Eddie tries to clear up his past.
Actors and actresses
Eddie
Leda
Gonda
Eddie's Mother
Juju
Masataka Hara
Guevara
Self
Self
Reviews & comments
Tayama
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- 1102 messages
- 522 votes
Another piece of film that was given the opportunity to be seen at the hands of the Japanese Art Theater Guild. Still, an interesting group of people there - and not averse to supporting some of the craziest ideas. I like that. Matsumoto's Funeral Parade of Roses is a film full of nice surprises and very enjoyable creative attempts.
Like many others, I also say that the story is not very interesting: Two rival transvestites, both in love with the same man. However, the way this is told feels incredibly good. One moment we are watching a nude scene between the covers, the next moment the board sounds and the moment disappears into a look behind the scenes to follow a short interview with an actor. A fun way to combine documentary and film.
Out of nowhere, an interview is occasionally shown on the street - with the question not to ever want to get married or to always remain a "queen". The main character Eddie is even asked if and why he (her) likes the role. Strange way to give us a glimpse into this gay world. A range of experimental-looking jump cuts, fast-forward scenes with vague music, overexposed shots, texts/quotes on screen and a hilarious catfight where wigs fly around and people swear in speech bubbles also pass the screen.
It's all great fun, but in the end you often seem to miss something. Matsumoto is much more concerned with giving a glimpse into this gay scene than trying to tell a story; I fully support that idea, but many separate ideas don't really come together, and with his experimental background I would have actually liked to see some more crazy things. Even the controversial (shocking) ending can actually be seen from quite a distance. Still, I don't want to complain and this remains a great project where drama, humor, documentary and film alternate at the most unexpected moments.
4.0/5.0
Translated from Dutch · View original
wendyvortex
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- 5196 messages
- 7278 votes
Very pleasant surprise from the Japanese New Wave of the late sixties.
The atmosphere is something like Jean Genet's "Our Lady of the Flowers".
Competing transvestites, crime and subculture playing around the Genet bar.
A joint is smoked in real-time and there is dancing and stripping to heavy psychedelic Japanese rock and when one of the ladies takes off her top in front of the camera, you are surprised when a male torso appears.
Also some quite spicy sex scenes (in Japanese style, without sexual organs).
Various filmmaking styles appear in the film.
Highly recommended for those who are interested in less common films and one of the best films in the transvestism/transgender genre.
Masterpiece!
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
A special experimental film in the world of transvestites and sex bars. Eddie and Leda are two transvestites who can drink each other's blood. So far it's all easy to follow.
Add to that the dream sequences and Eddie's troubled past and the film becomes somewhat less linear. Cinematically special anyway, with an interview-style scene here and there. Certainly interesting cinematically with clever editing and camera work. Those black and white images also add something poetic.
Beautifully depicted, especially the erotic scenes with which the film opens and gets straight to the point. Not a straight forward story, but definitely worth checking out.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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