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In 2002, I saw the American remake of The Ring and left the theater both haunted and obsessed. The famous cursed videotape made its way into my dreams, eventually triggering a lifelong passion for Japanese horror as I tracked down all the films I could find. It was in that phase that I discovered Audition. Made by famed Japanese director Takashi Miike, the film tells the tale of widowed husband Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi), who is seeking a new wife and holds a fake acting audition to find her. When he meets quiet, beautiful Asami (Eihi Shiina), it seems that everything has gone to plan--that is, until he finds out who's really hiding beneath her demure exterior. The film is 27 years old and well overdue for a clean-up, and that's just what it's getting thanks to the folks at Arrow Films. The imprint is launching a new Audition Limited Edition 4K Blu-ray on 16, and preorders are available now for $38 at Amazon.
Audition Limited Edition 4K Blu-Ray
$38 | Releases June 16
This limited edition is not only presented in 4K UHD, but it boasts tons of new features, including newly restored original lossless stereo and 4.0 audio, plus optional DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio. It also features an introduction and an interview with Miike himself, as well as a brand-new interview with Ishibashi, reflecting back on his iconic role as Aoyama.
A new collector's booklet comes with this edition, which features writing on the film and its impact from Anton Bitel, Jennie Kermode, and Jamie Graham. There's also colorful new sleeve art done by artist Stephen Samson, but once you slide the container out, the classic cover art is still there. It's a nice touch for longtime fans of the original.
Audition Limited Edition 4K Blu-Ray Bonus Materials
Along with the 4K restoration and enhanced audio presentation, the Audition Limited Edition 4K Blu-Ray also includes a long list of special features. Here's everything included:
- Optional English subtitles
- Introduction by director Takashi Miike
- Audio commentary by director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan
- Audio commentary by Miike biographer Tom Mes
- Callback, a brand-new interview with actor Ryo Ishibashi
- Ties that Bind, an interview with director Takashi Miike
- Damaged Romance, an appreciation by Japanese cinema historian Tony Rayns
- Archive interviews with stars Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi and Ren Osugi
- Deeper Deeper Into Audition, an audio essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
- Trailers
- Image gallery
- Collectors' booklet featuring new writing on the film by Anton Bitel, Jennie Kermode and Jamie Graham
- Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Dark Inker - Sampson and original UK artwork by Graham Humphreys
If you've never seen this classic, this is the perfect time to add it to your collection. But I'll warn you that if this is your first time seeing it, you're in for a hell of a ride.
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