Title: Skin of Roses
Year: 1978
Genre: Drama
Rating: 4.5
Cast: Naomi Tani, Akira Takahashi, Ako, Minoru Ôkôchi, Yoshihiro Hidaka
Description: A forgotten gem unearthed from the cinematic dustbin of 1978, 'Skin of Roses' isn't merely a film; it's a visceral experience. The film's unsettling beauty lies not in its narrative, which unfolds slowly, deliberately, but in its exploration of unspoken desires and the suffocating weight of societal expectations. Through evocative imagery and a haunting score, the director masterfully crafts an atmosphere thick with unspoken longing and simmering resentment. While the pacing might test the patience of modern viewers accustomed to rapid-fire edits, the rewards for persevering are profound. 'Skin of Roses' is a study in human fragility, a melancholic ballad about the price of conformity, leaving a lingering impression long after the credits roll. This is not escapist cinema; it's a mirror reflecting the shadowed corners of the human heart, and for that, it deserves rediscovery.