Product Details

• Actors: Yumeka Sasaki, Horyu Nakamura, Ryoko Asagi
• Directors: Daisuke Goto
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: Japanese
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Pink Eiga
• DVD Release Date: February 23, 2009
• Run Time: 61 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001QZZZPS
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,921 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn is a film of bittersweet sentiments, which credibly deals with loneliness, greed and the coming to terms with old age. Director Goto s strength is that he never overplays these sentiments, leaving the film to offer subtle depictions of various human emotions, which is helped out in no small part by a terrific ensemble who play their roles succinctly. It s indeed the simplicity of the film which allows it to work as well as it does, and though it employs a few common, or even clichéd, narrative devices to depict its urgency, its helmed by a man who understands his material and uses it to create a believable amount of pathos. Likewise, Hajime Oba s score is beautifully poignant, while Masahide Iioka s photography keeps things visually alluring, with the Japanese countryside providing a pleasant change of pace. A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn is a touching film that carefully deals with real issues. The constraints - or rather reputation - of the genre means that it may never reach the wider audience it perhaps deserves, but at the very least it s out there, so those seeking a little arthouse gem for the time being need look no further. --Kevin Gilvear, DvDtimes.co.uk

Product Description

LONELY COW WEEPS AT DAWN - DVD Movie

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bizarre, Sad and Engaging Japanese Pink Film, April 10, 2009

By 

Woopak "The THRILL" (Where Dark Asian Knights Dwell) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn (DVD)

Genuine Japanese Pink films are the type of films that effectively blends eroticism and a powerful narrative. It is easy to dismiss these films as "dressed up softcore" because of the strong sequences of graphic sex and nudity, if you do, then you would miss the message it is trying to convey. Hailed as Daisuke Goto's (Zero Woman) best film, "A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn" is a movie about love, lust and loneliness. It portrays a very odd relationship between a woman named Noriko and a senile old man named Shukichi, that borders on being disturbing but at the same time compassionate.

A 29 year old widow named Noriko (Ryoko Asagi) lives with her senile father in law, Shukichi (Horyu Nakamura) on his farm. Shukichi believes that his favorite cow, recently deceased is still alive. Trying to keep him from further heartache, Noriko pretends to be his cow and lets him milk her--a satisfying arrangement for the both of them. However, Shukichi's daughter Mitsuko (Yumeka Sasaki) discovers the bizarre relationship and threatens to put an end to it.

Written and directed by Daisuke Goto, "A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn" is truly bizarre and honestly, a little disturbing. It uses the relationship between Noriko and her father in law to portray emotions and that feelings often sneak up when you least expect it. The film's narrative is quite simple and truth be told its message is very real. One may wonder as to why Noriko would subject herself to a humiliating position, but the film does make it abundantly clear. Hideo, Noriko's dead husband died at the same time as Shukichi's favorite cow. I suppose the two feel rather dependent on each other for comfort, and they feel alienated from others. Director Goto uses the "milking cow" metaphor to express the need for happiness and denial from hurtful truths.

Goto also incorporates a dose of a relationship that would be frowned upon--a doctor (Haruki Jo) is having sex with his nurse, Chiriko (Sakura Mizuki). The doctor is several years her senior and such a relationship will undoubtedly be frowned upon, but their blossoming relationship says a lot to people who should go with their heart and the hell with what people think. Shukichi and Noriko's relationship is much more complex, and no doubt be more condemned. People should just mind their own business I say.

This is a Japanese pink film and one wouldn't be hard-pressed to dismiss its narrative because of the truly graphic sex scenes. The sex scenes are gratuitous and the nudity is strong. The infamous hand over the female crotch area appears to be the signature of pink films and there are scenes of semi-penetration with almost full frontal nudity that are almost highly visible. All three actresses got to show their stuff and they did look like they were enjoying the scenes of vigorous sex. Those looking for pervy kicks won't be disappointed.

Plus, the acting by our two leads is quite strong. Ryoko Asagi looks very simple but she maintains that very erotic personality. Asagi was excellent in her portrayal as the "torned" widow of Shukichi's son Hideo. She manages to flesh out her character with a display of sadness and raw emotion even with the film's 58 minute run time. Horyu Nakamura is somewhat funny at times but at the same time a tad repulsive, I thought Goto was challenging us to feel pity for him. Yumeka Sasaki plays the daughter who is obviously all mixed up. She was raped by the land developer, Namamitsu (Hajime Seiji) which is why she left but she still agrees to have sex with him after many years. Quite an odd turning of events don't you think?

"A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn" is a different kind of art house cinema. It's easy to dismiss it as a sleazy skin flick and I think this would be the wrong approach to this film. The film does have some very human and compelling characters, even though they are a bit bizarre; one has to look past the very gratuitous sex scenes to appreciate its engaging narrative. The film's final act maybe easily misunderstood, but I thought it added a whole new level in emotional impact and an exercise in the proper morals--giving up your own happiness for someone's welfare. Sad, bizarre but truly bold in its execution, and while not a film for everyone, I did enjoy the film.

Recommended timidly [3 ½ + Stars]

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars wonderfully erotic sequences, July 8, 2009

By 

Mr. C. P. Underwood (Greenwich, England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn (DVD)

A most unusually themed `pink' wherein, Ryoko Asagi puts in a great performance as she successfully convinces us that she covers for her father-in-law's long lost cow. There are wonderfully erotic sequences and some wry humour but essentially this is a movie centred around the increasing senility of the ageing small holding owner, whose son has died and his wife played by Ryoko, has hung on in there. There is some fine cinematography, illuminating the rural scenes but this is never seeming to end gloriously and indeed in the end there is much pathos and a real sense of loss and generosity of spirit. Mind you if you are looking for fleshy sex, there is plenty here, so don't be put of by the serious side. One more film that surely could only have been made in Japan.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Geez... This is masterpiece!, September 29, 2009

By 

HSPlus (Los Angeles CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn (DVD)

Who can expect the story about a young widow who lets her father-in-low milk her is such a great!? The storyline is prety weied and some of you guys might think it is a kind of bad joke. BUT it is not. the story goes into their serious relationship including forbidden love. The father-in-low is senile, and he can't recognize his favorite cow is already dead. The daughter feel pity of the father, and she really loves him, so she pretends a cow every morning...
What an odd idea! But the director did really fine job. Goto has truly cinematic sense. I want to emphasize this is not comedy but pure, touching, surprising and overwhelming love story.