Arrow Video is excited to announce the UK Dual Format Blu-ray + DVD release of the Teruo Ishii’s 1970 Japanese cult classic Blind Woman’s Curse which will be available to own in the UK from 31st March. This deluxe edition, which represents the first time the film will be released on any home video format within the UK, features packaging that showcases stunning newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx and a new high-definition digital transfer of the film prepared by Nikkatsu Studios, the famed studio behind many pinky violence and genre classics, and home to filmmakers such as Seijun Suzuki (Branded to Kill).

Starring the cult actress Meiko Kaji, of Lady Snowblood fame (whose singing from that film was borrowed by Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill), is seen here in her first major role. As her star would rise she would go on to the classic girl gang series Stray Cat Rock, which will be released by Arrow Video later in 2014 and Lady Snowblood is available now.

Featuring a full length audio commentary by author and Japanese cinema expert (and recent curator of a Nikkatsu cinema programme at the British Film Institute) Jasper Sharp, newly-translated and English-subtitles, trailers for four of the films in the Meiko Kaji-starring Stray Cat Rock series (made at the same studio as Blind Woman’s Curse), a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes, illustrated with original archive stills. 

Synopsis

From “The King of Cult” Teruo Ishii, Blind Woman’s Curse (also known as Black Cat’s Revenge) is a thrilling yakuza film featuring eye-popping visuals, sensational fight sequences and the gorgeous Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood, Stray Cat Rock) in her first major role.

Akemi (Kaji) is a dragon-tattooed leader of the Tachibana yakuza clan. In a duel with a rival gang Akemi slashes the eyes of an opponent and a black cat appears, to lap the blood from the gushing wound. The cat along with the eye-victim go on to pursue Akemi’s gang in revenge, leaving a trail of dead yakuza girls, their dragon-tattoos skinned from their bodies.

A bizarre blend of the female yakuza film and traditional Japanese ghost story, with a strong dash of grotesque-erotica (the same movement was a sensibility of Edogawa Rampo whose works were adapted by Ishii in Horrors of Malformed Men), Blind Woman’s Curse is a delirious mash-up of classic genre tropes, of which Ishii was no stranger, having directed everything from Super Giant films to biker movies!

Special Features

· New high definition digital transfer of the film prepared by Nikkatsu Studios

· Presented in High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD

· Uncompressed mono PCM audio

· Newly translated English subtitles

· Audio commentary by Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp

· Original Trailer

· Trailers for four of the films in the Meiko Kaji-starring Stray Cat Rock series, made at the same studio as Blind Woman’s Curse

· Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

· Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes, illustrated with original archive stills.

SPECTRE follows the band’s widely acclaimed conceptual album VOLK (2006) – where Laibach interpreted national anthems of historically imperialistic nations – and the release of the side projects LAIBACHKUNSTDERFUGE (2008) and IRON SKY: The Original Film Soundtrack (2012).

Laibach has once again ‘re-invented’ itself in a newly born, yet polished and solid, formation. And, as is now customary, Laibach calls into question all the rigid and cemented interpretations (and prejudices) about itself, about its music, intentions, philosophy and ideology. Laibach are masters of escape, true escape artists. And yet, despite everything, SPECTRE resonates as a real and full-blooded Laibachian work and nothing else.

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY, an inspiring story with a special cinematography from actor and director Ben Stiller. This extra ordinary movie which is a remake from the Danny Kaye-classic will be released at 30^th April on Blu-ray and DVD by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Director: Ben Stiller

Stars: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Jon Daly

Synopsis :

A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.

Watch below the trailer.

Today, Sunday March 9th Unidentified Man will release and present their debut album (Wool-E Tapes) live at JH Wommel in Wommegem (Antwerp). The concert will take place in the authentic settings of an 19th century fortress casemate.
More info about the gig here!

Unidentified Man was founded by J.De Winter as a one man project with a predilection for analog synth music such as New Wave, Cold Wave, Minimal Wave, Synth pop, etc. For the following scheduled performances in 2014, Unidentified Man will be joined by Els Van Herck on vocals.

unidentifiedman1.bandcamp.com/album/wet004-remedy-for-melancholy-c30

With a new semi-crowdfunded project ROSA†CRVX will buy a special truck that can be transformed into a stage.

Victim of prejudice and mediatic manipulation, Rosa†Crvx has been subjected to a more or less frank censure from its beginning. In spite of a great enthusiasm and interest from the audience after each of its appearences on stage, the group doesn't get many opportunities to play live. Clearly, the greatest concerts have been the ones organized by the group itself, therefore it is the direction they want to follow, however...

They are launching a new project : the layout of a stage truck.

The plan is the purchase of a 20m² truck which will, after a few modifications, be convertible into a 8x4m stage, mountable in a few hours, half-covered, and which will offer the possibility to meet the demands and play in out-of-the-way places, old castles, private domains, etc...

Fans can contribute & make a chance on diverse ROSA†CRVX items.

www.rosacrux.org/camion