A Snake of June 2002 Horror Movie Review

alot of people have expressed dissatisfaction for this film, i feel maybe its because the people compare this to his other works a little too rash, but maybe not. shinya tsukamoto is one of of my top favorite directors & i found this film to be quite a pleasureable film experience (though often throughout the film you cant tell whether the characters pleasure or disquietude; i think thats what i enjoyed the most). the cinematography is bliss; a grand blue tinted b/w & plenty of rain to fit the mood. i enjoyed the three central characters as well, finding tsukamoto’s character, iguchi, to be my favorite. perhaps because he is the most complex character throughout the film. sure, his “personal & devestating” secret is revealed towards the film’s conclusion, but even that aside, you never really pick up upon what is really driving his behavior and actions towards tatsumi. a logical person would maybe identify a sense of sadomasochism, but i like to think deeper than that, almost as if through this “sadism” he is freeing her from a life she thinks she wants, but in her heart, knows she doesnt.


i think maybe viewers were approaching this one more logically because it was less abstract than, say the tetsuo films, or even vital. it focused more on what could be a realistic situation and often a cliche in mystery films(the married couple who’s life is shattered by a voyeaur’s constant prowl/spy)which did not end like a cliche mystery would, but then again, tsukamoto never really presents this film as a mystery, to me it seems more like a symblism used through urban lore about someone who has lost hope in himself and attempted to, in his own point of view, try and restore hope to the person who helped him find his again, or so it may seem…


i honestly find it hard(& innapropriate) to summarize snake of june or any of tsukamoto’s films like an elementary schoolkid would on some book report, so all i can say is that though this is not a good place to start in viewing tsukamoto’s films, it is a still a worthy watch, especially if you are already a fan of tsukamoto, or are just open to watching something completly different.