Rare Film...
Page of Madness is a must-see rare silent avant-garde film from Japan.
I happened upon the title while I was perusing the online DVD/video sale site
superhappyfun, which features out-of-the-way movies that are not available at your average DVD store.
Made in 1926 by Teinosuke Kinugasa it involves a janitor who works in an insane asylum where his wife is a patient.
Plot aside the film is a marvel of technique. Using about every camera angle, movement and trick that was available in the 20's Kinugasa creates a visually rich and mezmerizing film. The editing is similar to Soviet montage-style and the shot selection has the look of German Expressionism. There too are psychological undercurrents and visual motifs that reminded me of Maya Deren's
Meshes in the Afternoon, which was made 20 years later.
Clocking in at just under an hour
Page of Madness has no inter-titles but it doesn't need them. Plus, it would only take away from the visual element; so who need them?
As far as I know this DVD is not available anywhere and, in fact, has not received any kind of official release. The film was transferred onto a DVD-R from a VHS copy.