Produced by "godfather of anime" Osamu Tezuka and directed by his long-time collaborator Eiichi Yamamoto (ASTRO BOY), this mad, swirling, psychedelic light-show of medieval tarot-card imagery with horned demons, haunted forests and La Belle Dame Sans Merci, is equal parts J.R.R. Tolkien and gorgeous, explicit Gustav Klimt-influenced eroticism. Created in 1973, it is finally getting a U.S. theatrical release.
"Eiichi Yamamoto's cult anime strikes a perfect balance between midnight-movie enchantment and arthouse sophistication." - Slant
"Compulsively watchable, even at its most disturbing: The imagery is frequently graphic, and still, after over 40 years, it has the power to shock." - NY Times
"For those up for an adventure into the LSD-influenced world of counterculture animation, Belladonna of Sadness is a curious artifact that, after 43 years, remains a glorious mindf**k." - Austin Chronicle
The last film in the adult-themed Animerama trilogy, Belladonna unfolds as a series of spectacular still watercolor paintings that bleed and twist together. An innocent young woman, Jeanne (voiced by Aiko Nagayama) is raped by the local lord on her wedding night. To take revenge, she makes a pact with the Devil himself (voiced by Tatsuya Nakadai) who appears as an erotic sprite and transforms her into a black-robed vision of madness and desire. Rated R. 93 min.
***Please note that NO OUTSIDE DRINKS OR FOOD are allowed inside Richards' Goat Tavern for legal reasons and violators of this rule may be banned from the theatre permanently. Cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, popcorn, and cookies are available at the bar. If you are interested in one of our hot food specials, please show up at least 30 minutes early to finish it in the bar area, as hot food is not allowed inside the dark theatre for your safety. Thank you, see you at the movies!