SILVER

Recent widower (and movie producer) Shigeharu is looking for a new wife, but instead of going the usual route, he decides to hold “auditions” for a movie that doesn’t exist. Shigeharu quickly becomes enchanted with Asami, a spooky twenty-something who is responsive to his charms — but things aren’t what they seem. AUDITION was the turn-of-the-millennium flash point that signaled the talent of director Takashi Miike (ICHI THE KILLER). With this movie, Miike delivers a nerve-shredding exploration of male fears and the stereotype of submissive Japanese women. Shocking audiences worldwide with its white-knuckle finale and ingenious slow-burn build-up, AUDITION is an infamous and gut-wrenching film responsible for creating a fresh new wave of Asian horror. We’re eternally grateful. (Note courtesy of AGFA.) DIR Takashi Miike; SCR Daisuke Tengan from the novel by Ryū Murakami; PROD Satoshi Fukushima, Akemi Suyama. Japan, 1999, 115 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. RATED R

Also part of Party Like It's 1999.