Product Details

• Actors: Hiroshi Araki
• Directors: Tatsuya Mori
• Producers: Takaharu Yasuoka
• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: Japanese (Unknown)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Facets
• DVD Release Date: June 27, 2006
• Run Time: 136 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B000EWBKXK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,083 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "A" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

In 1996, filmmaker Tatsuya Mori received permission to tape the inside activities of Japan's religious cult Aum Shinrikyo—the enigmatic group that released sarin gas into Tokyo's subway system in 1995. Focusing on the group's spokesperson Araki Hiroshi, Mori caught much more than the cult's daily life with his camera. He captured the media frenzy that engulfed the group, the vicious tactics of undercover cops against cult members, and the anger of local residents who wanted to evict the cult from their community. Looking for more than a simple depiction of this controversial group, Mori exposes and examines the contradictions in Japanese society that would produce such a cult and then feed on it. This edgy, provocative documentary created a heated debate in Japan, where the cult still resides under a different name.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Kinda interesting, January 10, 2007

By 

Michael J. Randazzo "MJRandazzo" (midwest city, ok USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A (DVD)

This movie follows a young Aum disciple who acts as the spokesperson for their cult while "The Master" is on trial. He has to deal with an agressive media and angry citizens.

I was expecting an explanation of the attack, but the people filmed do not appear to have been involved in it. It does give an interesting insight into Japanese life. The people who give the young man advice tell him to get a job and work hard. The police operate differently and that's pretty interesting.

I have to admit, I watched it in fast forward through lots of it because there are long stretches where nothing happens. I would've fallen asleep if I hadn't.

I'd like to see what the spokesman is doing now(10 years later), and I'd like to see police and psychologist interviews and I'd like it to be shorter. I guess I'm an average impatient dude.