Hisayasu Satō

Hisayasu Satō
Born August 15, 1959 (1959-08-15) (age 52)
Shizuoka City, Japan
Occupation Film director
Screenwriter
Years active 1985 – present

Hisayasu Satō aka Toshiyasu Satō (佐藤 寿保 Satō Hisayasu?, born on 15 August 1959 in Shizuoka City, Japan) is a Japanese exploitation film director. He has worked prolifically in the pinku eiga genre. His best known works are the pink film The Bedroom (1992), and the V-Cinema splatter film Splatter: Naked Blood (1996). He is known for his "sledgehammer" filmmaking style, and using his exploitation career to tackle serious subjects like obsession, alienation, perversion and voyeurism.[1] He is often likened to Canadian director David Cronenberg[2] due to his unflinching eye for Body Horror. Along with fellow directors, Kazuhiro Sano, Toshiki Satō and Takahisa Zeze, he is known as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Pink" (ピンク四天王 pinku shitenno?).[3]

Contents

Life and career

Satō is a very prolific director, having directed about two dozen films in 1998 and 1999.[4] To date, he has directed more than fifty films dealing with eroticism, sadism, and horror among the lower classes of Japan.[5] He is famous for his "guerilla shooting technique" in which his actors appear on location in public and incorporate unknowing bystanders into the film.[1] One notorious example of this technique can be seen in Widow's Perverted Hell (1991) in which the lead actress, nude and bound in S&M gear, appears in a busy downtown location and begs confused passers-by to help her masturbate.[6] Allmovie comments, "Like Divine's memorable strut through the streets of Baltimore in Pink Flamingos, this scene was shot guerrilla-style, with no planning, and some of the reactions from unsuspecting pedestrians are priceless. Intended as a dark meditation on the unhinging effects of grief, the mondo aspects of its climactic scene makes the rather lackluster Mibojin Hentai Jigoku worth seeing."[7]

Satō's 1987 Temptation of the Mask was important for several reasons. One of the first gay films produced by a major pink film director, the film also brought together three members of the shitenno for the first time. Takahisa Zeze worked as Satō's assistant director for the film, and through him began hiring future-director Kazuhiro Sano as an actor in his films. Zeze later recalled, "I remember once there was a gay pink film, and Satō wanted to use Sano, so I was the go-between and negotiated with him to appear in it. That's how we all started working together."[8]

Satō's second gay-themed film was Muscle aka Mad Ballroom Gala (1988),[9] a tribute to director Pier Paolo Pasolini.[10] For this film, Satō was awarded the grand prize at the Berlin Gay and Lesbian Festival in 1993.[11] From this and later films like Hunters' Sense of Touch (1995), Satō has gained a reputation as one of the few directors who can competently alternate between gay and heterosexual-themed pink films.[12]

Satō's 1990 film, Horse and Woman and Dog, another film featuring Kazuhiro Sano, became a success due to its scandalous scenes involving bestiality between the three characters in the film's title.[13] Another controversial, but highly-regarded film from Satō is Promiscuous Wife: Disgraceful Torture (1992), for which the director hired the Paris cannibal, Issei Sagawa (aka Kazumasa Sagawa) to appear in a cameo role.[14][15]

Famed for the offensiveness of his films, Lolita: Vibrator Torture (1987), dealing with a homeless man who rapes and murders women, is often singled out as Satō's most repulsive film.[16][17] In his later works, Satō has collaborated with the female pink film writer, Kyoko Godai. While the violence in his films has sometimes been less extreme since this collaboration,[1] the Weissers, in their Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films call Godai and Satō's work on Uniform Punishment: Square Peg in Round Hole! (1991) "Perhaps the most mean-spirited satire on film.".[6] The film deals with a religious cult who worships a maniacal young woman who spends her nights hunting the city for people to rape and kill with the help of a male slave. Allmovie judges the film a "perversely entertaining jet-black satire" and a "dark but highly watchable softcore effort."[18]

Yoshiyuki Hayashida, editor of P*G magazine—currently the leading journal on pink film-- and founder of the Pink Grand Prix, became a fan of Satō's work and wrote a script using many of Satō's major themes. Satō filmed the script as Uniform Masturbation: Virgin's Underpanties (1992).[19] Though Satō's style seems to have softened somewhat as the 1990s progressed, he was still capabable of producing such works as Splatter: Naked Blood (1996),[9] which, Allmovie warns, "contains one of the most appalling scenes in Japanese horror, with a young woman mutilating and eating her own body."[20]

Partial filmography

Release title[21] Satō's title Release date Studio
Mad Love! Lolita Poaching
激愛!ロリータ密猟
Gekiai! Lolita Mitsuro
Distorted Sense of Touch February, 1985 Shishi
Toei Central
Sex Virgin Unit: Party of Beasts
SEX乙女隊 獣たちの宴
Sex Otome-tai: Kemonotachi no Utage
Zero Flight June 1985 Shishi
Toei Central
Wife Collector
人妻コレクター
Hitozume Collector
Decaying Town 1985-09-28 Shishi
Toei Central
Office Lady Rape: Disgrace!
OL暴行汚す
OL Boko: Yogosu!
Save the Last Dance for Me July 1986 Shintōhō/Kokuei
Uniform Virgin: The Prey
制服処女 ザ・えじき
Seifuku Shojo: The Ejiki
Explosion... 1986-08-09 Nikkatsu
Shishi
Exciting Eros: Hot Skin
エキサイティング・エロ 熱い肌
Exciting Ero: Atsui Hada
Gimme Shelter October 1986 Shishi
Million Film
Rape Climax!
暴行クライマックス
Boko Climax
Water's High April 1987 Shishi
Shintōhō
Lolita: Vibrator Torture
ロリータ・バイブ責め
Lolita Vibe-Zeme
Secret Garden 1987-09-19 Shishi
Nikkatsu
Genuine Rape
暴行本番
Boko Honban
Pleasure Kill October 1987 Shishi
Shintōhō
Temptation of the Mask
暴行本番
Kamen no Yuwaku
Temptation of the Mask December 1987 Shishi
ENK Production
Hard Focus: Eavesdrop
ハードフォーカス 盗聴<ぬすみぎき>
Hard Focus: Nusumi-giki
Survey Map of a Paradise Lost 1988-03-09 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Abnormal: Ugly Abuse
アブノーマル 陰虐
Abnormal: Ingyaku
Rewind July 1988 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Pervert Ward: Torturing the White Uniform
変態病棟 白衣責め
Hentai Byoto: Hakui-zeme
Love Letter in the Sand 1988-10-15 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Lolita Disgrace
ロリータ恥辱
Lolita Chijoku
Radical Hysteria Tour 1988-12-23 Shishi
ENK
Mad Ballroom Gala
狂った舞踏会
Kurutta Butokai
Asti: Lunar Eclipse Theater March 1989 Shishi
ENK
Rape Between Sisters: Penetration!
姉妹連続レイプ えぐる!
Shimai Renzoku Rape: Eguru!
Welcome to the Illusion 1989-03-04 Shishi
Excess
Ecstasy Game
陶酔遊戯
Tosui Yugi
Bondage Ecstasy May 1989 ENK Productions
Pervert Ward: S&M Clinic
変態病棟 SM診療室
Hentai Byoto: SM Shinryo-shitsu
Fuga Music for Alpha and Beta 1989-09-02 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Beauty Reporter: Rape Broadcast
美人レポーター 暴行生中継
Bijin Reporter: Boko Nama-chukei
Love Obsession 1989-10-07 Shishi
Shintōhō
Naked Action: College Girl Rape Edition
半裸本番 女子大生暴行篇
Hanra Honban: Joshidaisei Boko-hen
Psychic Rose January 1990 Media Top/Shintōhō
Serial Rape: Perverted Experiment
連続レイプ 変態実験
Renzoku Rape: Hentai Jikken
Ki*Ra*Ra February 1990 Shishi
Excess
Rapist with Handcuffs: Defile!
手錠暴行魔 いたぶる!
Tejo Boko-ma: Itaburu!
Interlocking Locks May 1990 Shishi
Excess
Horse and Woman and Dog
馬と女と犬
Uma to Onna to Inu
Poaching by the Water May 1990 Media Top/Shintōhō
Office Lady Rape: Devouring the Giant Tits
OL連続レイプ 巨乳むさぼる
OL Renzoku Rape: Kyonyu Musaboru
Slush September 1990 Shishi
Excess
Special Lesson: Perverted Sex Education
スペシャルレッスン 変態性教育
Special Lesson: Hentai Sei-kyoiku
The Gods Have a Nervous Breakdown September 1990 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Hidden Video Maniac: Uniform Hunting
制服盗聴魔 激射・なぶる!
Seifuku Nusumi-dori-ma: Gekisha Naburu
Naked City December 1990 Shishi
Excess
Lesbian Rape: Sweet Honey Juice
レズビアンレイプ 甘い蜜汁
Lesbian Rape: Amai Mitsujiru
Silencer Made of Glass 1991-02-02 Shishi
Shintōhō
Uniform Punishment: Square Peg in Roung Hole!
制服私刑 ねじり込め!
Seifuku Lynch: Nejirikome!
Silencer Made of Glass 1991-03-01 Shishi
Excess
Widow's Perverted Hell
未亡人変態地獄
Mibojin Hentai Jigoku
Look Into Me 1991-04-26 Shishi
Excess
Hidden Video Report: Dark Shot!
盗撮レポート 陰写!
Nusumidori Report: Insha!
Turtle Vision 1991-07-20 Shintōhō
New Wife's Private Parts: Caress
新妻下半身 わしづかみ
Nizuma Kahanshin: Washizukami
Doll 1991-11-22 Shishi
Excess
Lady of the Stable
馬小舎の令嬢
Umagoya no Reijo
Wave 1991-12-21 Shintōhō
Real Action: Vibrator Punishment
本番バイブ 折檻
Honban: Vibe Sekken
Symbol of Release 1992-01-24 Shishi
Excess
Housewife Punishment: Triple Torture
人間拷問 三段責め
Hitozuma Gomon: Sandan-zeme
Labyrinth of Primary Colors 1992-07-31 Shishi
Excess
Promiscuous Wife: Disgraceful Torture
浮気妻 恥辱責め
Uwaki-zuma: Chijoku-zeme
An Aria on Gazes 1992-09-12 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Uniform Masturbation: Virgin's Underpanties
制服ONANIE 処女の下着
Seifuku Onanie: Shojo no Shitagi
Close Dancing 1992-10-10 Shintōhō
S&M Group Wax Torture
SM集団?責め
SM Shudan Ro-zeme
Dirty Blue 1992-11-06 Shishi
Excess
Wife in Mourning: Pubic-Shaved Rope Slave
喪服妻 剃毛縄奴隷
Mofuku-zuma: Teimō Nawa-dorei
Negation 1993-02-05 Shishi
Excess
Real Time Tapping Report: Pillow Talk
(生)盗聴リポート 痴話
Nama Tocho Report: Chiwa
Kyrie Eleison 1993-03-05 Shintōhō
Pleasure Masturbation: New Wife Version
快感ONANIE 新妻篇
Kaikan Onanie: Niizuma-hen
Light Sleep 1993-05-28 Shishi
Excess
Real Action: Drink Up
ナマ本番 飲み干す!
Nama Honban: Nomihosu!
Angel in the Dark 1993-08-13 Shishi
Excess
Molester's Train: Nasty Behavior
痴漢電車 いやらしい行為
Chikan Densha: Iyarashii Kōi
Birthday 1993-11-26 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Wife's Perverted Beauty Salon
人妻変態美容師
Hitozuma Hentai Biyoshitsu
Dead End 1994-01-14 Shishi
Excess
Molester and the Peeper: Gynecology Ward
痴漢と覗き 婦人科病練
Chikan to Nozoki: Fujin-ka Byoto
Sick People 1994-04-01 Shishi
Excess
Molester and the Peeper: Gynecology Ward
痴漢と覗き 婦人科病練
Chikan to Nozoki: Fujin-ka Byoto
Sick People 1994-04-01 Shishi
Excess
Young Wife: Opening Juicy Thighs
若奥様 太股びらき
Wakaoku-sama: Futomono-biraki
Rental Love 1994-06-17 Shishi
Excess
Filthy Wife: Wet
いやらしい人妻 濡れる
Iyarashii Hitozuma: Nureru
Love - 0 = Infinity 1994 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Wife in Heat: While Husband is Away
すけべ妻 夫の留守に
Sukebe-zuma: Otto no Rusu ni
Rafureshia 1995-01-06 Shishi
Excess
Hunters' Sense of Touch
狩人たちの触覚
Karyudo-tachi no Shokkaku
Hunters' Sense of Touch 1995-05-02 ENK Productions
In the Thicket / New Rashomon
薮の中
Yabu no Naka
1996-05-18 Image Factory
Splatter: Naked Blood
女虐/NAKED BLOOD
Megyaku: Naked Blood
1996-02-20 TM Project/Museum
Night of the Anatomical Doll
人体模型の夜
Jintai-mokei no Yoru
1996-11-08 Excellent Film/Toei Video
Meet Me in the Dream: Wonderland
夢で逢いましょう
Yume de Aimasho: Wonderland
1996-02-09 Pink Pineapple
Soft Skin
やわらかい肌
Yawarakai Hada
1998-01-31 Kokuei
Shintōhō
Scent of a Married Woman
人妻の値段 匂いたつ欲情
Hitozuma no Nedan: Nioutatsu Yokujou
2001-28-12 Legend Pictures
Rampo Noir (segment: The Caterpillar)
乱歩地獄
Ranpo Jigoku
2005-05-11 Albatros Film
Toei
The Tattooer
刺青
Si-Sei
2006-24-03 ArtPort Inc.
Love & Loathing & Lulu & Ayano
名前のない女たち
Namae no nai Onnatachi
2010-04-09 There's Enterprise Inc.
Makotoya

Bibliography

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Weisser, Thomas; Yuko Mihara Weisser (1998). "Spotlight: Four Kings of Pink (Hisayasu Sato)". Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films. Miami: Vital Books : Asian Cult Cinema Publications. p. 463. ISBN 1-889288-52-7. 
  2. ^ Sharp, Jasper (2008). Behind the Pink Curtain: The Complete History of Japanese Sex Cinema. Guildford: FAB Press. pp. 265–266. ISBN 978-1-903254-54-7. 
  3. ^ Domenig, Roland (2002). "Vital flesh: the mysterious world of Pink Eiga". Archived from the original on 2004-11-18. http://web.archive.org/web/20041118094603/http://194.21.179.166/cecudine/fe_2002/eng/PinkEiga2002.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-06. 
  4. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Tejo Boko-ma: Itaburu!". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/240336. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  5. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Gekiai! Lolita Mitsuro". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/238589. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  6. ^ a b Weisser, p.471.
  7. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Mibojin Hentai Jigoku". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/238632. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  8. ^ "Takahisa Zeze interview". midnighteye.com. http://www.midnighteye.com/interviews/takahisa_zeze.shtml. Retrieved 2007-10-04. 
  9. ^ a b McRoy, Jay (2008). Nightmare Japan: contemporary Japanese horror cinema. Contemporary cinema. 4. Rodopi. pp. 49–59. ISBN 9042023317. 
  10. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Muscle". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/133763. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  11. ^ Weisser, p.467.
  12. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Hunters' Sense of Touch". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/240345. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  13. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Uma To Onna To Inu". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/240343. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  14. ^ Weisser, p.473.
  15. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Apartment Wife: Promiscuous Wife: Disgraceful Torture". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/240337. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  16. ^ Weisser, p.465.
  17. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Lolita: Vibrator Torture". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/240321. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  18. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Seifuku Lynch: Nejirikome!". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/238631. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  19. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Seifuku Onanie: Shojo No Shitagi". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/238634. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  20. ^ Firsching, Robert. "Megyaku: Naked Blood". Allmovie. http://www.allmovie.com/work/240347. Retrieved 2007-10-07. 
  21. ^ Filmography from Weisser, Thomas; Yuko Mihara Weisser (1998). "Spotlight: Four Kings of Pink (Hisayasu Sato)". Japanese Cinema Encyclopedia: The Sex Films. Miami: Vital Books : Asian Cult Cinema Publications. pp. 463–479. ISBN 1-889288-52-7. ; Hisayasu Sato at the Internet Movie Database and "佐藤寿保 (Satō Hisayasu)" (in Japanese). Japanese Movie Database. http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/person/p0126690.htm. Retrieved 2007-10-06. 

Sources