initial - Shunji Iwai's early works collection - [DVD]

Information

The collection includes eight titles: "My Stranger Child," "The Man Who Came to Kill," "Maria," "Canned Crab," "Summer Solstice Story," "Omelette," "The Snow King," and "Lunatic Love."
In addition, there is a bonus disc containing a special long interview with Iwai Shunji, and each of the eight films comes with commentary by Iwai himself explaining the background of the works and behind-the-scenes stories from their production!
Including the gorgeous binding, it's a must-have for fans.
You can't talk about Iwai's work without mentioning this collection!

● DISC1
"My Unknown Child"
Madoka is a girl who only appears in Kogure Youhei's dreams.
One night, the girl in his dreams becomes real and becomes Yohei's daughter.
Gradually, Yohei's family members disappear one by one...
A unique horror film in which dreams invade reality.

Cast: Takashi Tsumura, Masako Yoshida, Michiko Yamamoto
Kansai Television Broadcasting "DRAMADOS" broadcast on April 17, 1991

"The Man Who Came to Kill"
"This is my last job," the assassin decided in his heart.
The job is completed successfully, but the man he thought he had killed appears before the assassin again.
What is the outcome of the murder that is repeated...?
A fantasy tale depicting an assassin's final job and his strange end.

CAST: Shiro Shimomoto/Yoshihisa Komiya
Kansai Television Broadcasting "DRAMADOS" broadcast on December 11, 1991

● DISC2
"Maria"
Christmas. Maria, an ordinary office worker,
She discovers she is pregnant with something she has no idea about.
The fetus grows rapidly, and soon a cross-shaped stigmata appears on the palm of its hand...
An allegorical play depicting the virgin birth in modern Japan.

Cast: Shoko Nakajima/Shinichi Samejima/Shinji Asakura/Teruo Tsubouchi
Kansai Television Broadcasting "DRAMADOS" broadcast on March 18, 1992

"Canned crab"
A robber broke into Osawa Shoten. The total damage was 1.5 million yen.
The peaceful town suddenly becomes lively.
However, the actual damage was limited to just one can of crab!
A comical drama with a detailed plot depicted with a light touch.

Cast: Junji Takada/Ryo Iwamatsu/Toshiya Sakai
Fuji TV "Tales of the Unusual" broadcast on December 7, 1992

● DISC3
"Summer Solstice Tale"
My first summer with Tohru.
In the stuffy room, Yuko could only think about Tohru.
While looking into Tohru's room through a telescope...
A love story about a devoted and slightly dangerous girl living in the city.

Cast: Miki Shiraishi/Shinya Ueda
Kansai Television Broadcasting "Rose DOS" broadcast on September 16, 1992

"Omelette"
The Yamada family was separated when their parents divorced.
In order to fulfill his son's wish to eat his mother's omelet, the timid father finally stepped into the kitchen!
And what was the "Terrifying Omelette Incident" that occurred?
A captivating family drama with outstanding dialogue.

Cast: Junji Takada/Yuta Yamazaki/Aya Nakagawa/Aya Katsuragi
Fuji TV "La Cuisine" broadcast on October 19, 1992

● DISC4
"The Snow King"
Yasuko is 24 years old. She came to Tokyo with the aim of becoming an actress, but now she is just a humble office worker.
He continues to have a relationship with his colleague Ko-chan, who is only interested in his body...
A story of fruitless love between Yasuko and Ko-chan, told through a unique monologue.

Cast: Yuki Ishibashi/Bono Umeda
Kansai Television Broadcasting "TV-DOS-T" broadcast on January 6, 1993

"Lunatic Love"
Unable to forgive Noriko's infidelity, "I" contacts her friend Yumi and succeeds in tracking down the other man.
However, when Yumi tries to seduce him while saying bad things about Noriko, "I" impulsively kills her.
On a rainy night, "I" takes the next step to get Noriko back...
A psychological suspense film that depicts the delusional love of a camera maniac with unique visual beauty.

Cast: Etsushi Toyokawa/Hiroko Nakajima/Chiharu/Ken Mitsuishi
Fuji TV "The Strange Tales of the World: Winter Special" broadcast on January 6, 1994

● DISC5
Special long interview with Shunji Iwai

<Special Offer>
■ Commentary by Shunji Iwai
■ Shunji Iwai Interview Disc (Disc 5)
■Work introduction booklet (16 pages)
■8 postcards with original artwork by Shunji Iwai

-Postcard image-

This DVD is Region 2, so it can be played on DVD players in Japan, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Egypt, and Taiwan.
Please note that if the region code is different, it may not be possible to play the disc.

Publisher: Kansai Telecasting / Rockwell Eyes
Distributor: Pony Canyon Co., Ltd.
Release date: February 15, 2006
Product number: PCBE-61912