Genre: Drama / Thriller
Duration: 123 minuten / 147 minuten (director's cut)
Alternative titles: Woman in the Dunes / De Vrouw in 't Zand / 砂の女
Country:
Japan
Directed by: Hiroshi Teshigahara
Stars: Eiji Okada, Kyôko Kishida and Hiroko Itō
IMDb score:
8,4 (25.048)
Releasedate: 15 February 1964
Suna no Onna plot
"Haunting. Erotic. Unforgettable."
An entomologist visits a remote area of Japan to study the local insects. When he misses the last bus to Tokyo, the locals suggest that he stay overnight with a woman who lives in a cottage in the sand pit. The man agrees, but finds out the next day that the rope ladder he descended has disappeared, leaving him trapped in the pit. Gradually he discovers that life in the pit and the village revolves around the constantly invading sand: when nothing happens, the houses are buried under the sand. If the sand is dug away, there is a risk that the houses will collapse. More and more the man resigns himself to his destiny to take up the battle with the sand every day. At the same time, an erotic tension grows between him and the woman.
Actors and actresses
Entomologist Niki Jumpei
The Woman
Entomologist's wife (in flashbacks)
Reviews & comments
Sir Djuke
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- 369 messages
- 1028 votes
Hiroshi Teshigahara made some good films in the first half of the 1960s, but none had such an emotional impact as 'Suna No Onna', or 'The Woman in the Dunes'. The title tells the story: a man is subjected to a Sisyphus torment in a sand pit. The more he tries to escape, the more impossible it becomes, until he embraces his destiny. There are few things I hate more than loose beach sand, but in this case I can enjoy it for once. The sand in this film acts as coarse-grained pixels, which come into their own best in the sex scene that forms the high and turning point of the film.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Film Pegasus (moderator films)
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- 31144 messages
- 5447 votes
A fairly symbolic new wave film. I can't really enjoy this. I think the concept would work best with director Kim Ki-Duk. A little quieter and create more atmosphere. Lovers of sand will certainly enjoy themselves here and those who like films with such a symbolic underlayer will also love this. But it means little to me. Partly understandable that it still attracts an audience, but I don't think it will become a big fan club.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
Strong Japanese classic that I watched with admiration. The way in which Teshigahara has interwoven the (many) sand into the plot is clever. The sand is the star and the eye-catcher of the film. I knew about quicksand that it can be dangerous, but apparently sand can pose many other insidious dangers. Very original concept where the sand pit acts as a kind of prison or exile. The villagers have mixed feelings of hate and love about it. They curse it on the one hand, but on the other they realize it's part of their identity.
The teacher doesn't understand it all too well and actually keeps trying to get away for the entire movie. He feels no affinity with the strange phenomenon. His emotions go from anger and panic to finally resignation. The relationship with the woman is mysterious. The erotic tension is palpable. The man tries in vain to resist.
The emptiness of existence is central to this claustrophobic film. Freedom and destiny are interpreted differently. Woman in the Dunes is a fascinating viewing experience. Maybe not for everyone. A big 4.0* for me.
Translated from Dutch · View originalLatest News
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