If
you have read your Poe you know a cat without an outraged sense justice can be
a real handful. However, this spectral
feline’s thirst for vengeance transcends generations, ensnaring an innocent
couple in Ishikawa Yoshiro’s Ghost Cat of
Otama Pond, which also has its official New York premiere as part of the
Japan Society’s 2013 Globus Film Series, Into the Shintoho Mind Warp: Girls, Guns & Ghosts.
It
is getting late, but no matter which path they take, Tadahiko and Keiko always
end up back at the same ominous pond.
Spying a black cat, Tadahiko insists on following it to presumed
shelter. Unfortunately, it takes them to
a deserted (and in fact haunted) house that renders Keiko catatonic. Seeking help, Tadahiko stumbles across the
home of a priest, who attempts an exorcism, while explaining the sinister
history of the area.
During
the feudal era, Yachimaru, the son of the village headman, was in love with
Kozasa, the daughter of his father’s bitter rival, Gensai. Unfortunately, after Yachimaru leaves to
start a career in the capital, Gensai and his ally the Magistrate kill
Yachimaru’s father and withered granny, capturing his sister. Shortly thereafter, she manages to take her
own life rather than submit to the Magistrate’s foul desires. The family cat Tama saw it all and is
profoundly offended. Before the long,
the supernaturally empowered cat stalks the killers, with the help of Kozasa,
in a partly willing state of possession.
Payback ensues.
When
Tama assumes a crazy cat woman form, Otama
approaches Corman-esque territory.
However, when it is simply the stealthy feline or the vacant eyed Kozasa
directing the uncanny torments, the film is all kinds of creepy and
atmospheric. Yoshiro makes particularly
effective use of his evocative settings, the spooky houses and deep dark well
that eerily reappear in the later time frame.
In
dual roles as the star-crossed lovers of both eras, Shôzaburô Date is
sufficiently uptight or tightly wound as Tadahiko/Yachimaru, whereas Noriko
Kitazawa is kind of spectacular as the vengeful Kozasa (while spending most her
time as Keiko either whining or in a paranormal coma).
