Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2010

©2010東映ビデオ

The Hana to Hebi film series holds a special place in Japanese cinematic history. The first movie, a roman porno work released in 1974, was adapted from Oniroku Dan’s series of novels, and it starred the genre-leading actress Naomi Tani. Though the film was a huge hit, friction between Dan and the Nikkatsu film studio meant that no further movies were made from his novels. In 2004, the series was resurrected with controversial former tarento Aya Sugimoto playing the role of the sexually submissive heroine, Shizuko. This time around, Shizuko is portrayed by Minako Komukai, another controversial actress who got sacked by her management company following a drug arrest in 2008. Hana to Hebi 3 represents her high-profile comeback, and the flick’s sexual antics are significantly amplified from past versions. Set in Italy, the story concerns a cellist who is lured to the remote house of a rich businessman. Awaiting her there is a team of sexual trainers, one of whom is portrayed by real-life rope master Go Arisue. With its mix of bondage, S&M, torture and sex, this film is not for the prudish. English title: Flower & Snake 3. (122 min)