Intentions of Murder
(Akai Satsui)

After an assault by a burglar, housewife Sadako finds herself deeply conflicted, in Imamura’s psychologically arresting and sensuously shot portrait of fear and desire. In Masumi Harukawa’s earthy performance, Sadako vacillates between responding to a burglar’s advances and entertaining thoughts of murder, surrounded by questionable models of masculinity. Imamura’s film sticks with its fascinating protagonist instead of pathologizing her, and rolls out flashbacks, voiceover musings, and Imamura’s signature close-ups on human bodies grappling in struggle or lust.