A key work of the Japanese New Wave and a rarely seen piece of queer cinema beautifully restored in 4k from the original 35mm camera negative and sound elements for re-release. Long unavailable, director Toshio Matsumoto’s shattering, kaleidoscopic masterpiece is one of the most subversive and intoxicating films of the late 1960s: a headlong dive into a dazzling, unseen Tokyo night-world of drag queen bars and fabulous divas, fueled by booze, drugs, fuzz guitars, performance art and black mascara. Transgender actor Peter (Kurosawa’s Ran) gives an astonishing Edie Sedgwick/Warhol superstar-like performance as hot young thing Eddie, hostess at Bar Genet — where she’s ignited a violent love-triangle with reigning drag queen Leda for the attentions of club owner Gonda (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo). Cited by Stanley Kubrick as a major influence for A Clockwork Orange
| 80 Commonwealth Street | |
| Surry Hills | |
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Tues – Sat 5pm – late |