ACF 1709: THE SLAVE SHIP reviewed; DVD released today

Switchblade Pictures

presents

The Slave Ship / Dorei-sen

Directed by Satoshi Kaneda

Screenplay by Akira Fukuhara and Satoshi Kaneda

Based on a novella by Oniroku Dan

Japan, 2010, 71 minutes
SRP $19.98

The Slave Ship, which streets today, is the third release from Switchblade Pictures of films based on the writings of S&M master Oniroku Dan. The title refers to a ship on which women are auctioned as sex slaves to wealthy men who are into bondage, and often whipping.

Onimata is the central character around whom the story unfolds. He's a writer of S&M tales who's bald, wears glasses and is well into his middle years. Miyuki, his comely young secretary types up his manuscripts and doesn't understand the appeal of the subject matter. Ishii is Onimata's publisher; he "rides herd" on him so that the writer meets his deadlines.

Onimata takes Miyuki to the Umezu Hot Springs Inn, which he hasn't visited for some time. The proprietress there is Kikue, one of Onimata's former slaves. While he's come there in the hopes of beginning an intimate relationship with Miyuki, encountering Kikue again brings up old memories and desires.

The film has the requisite number of scenes of bondage and other S&M play. However, I found it to be the most mature, refined work of the three films based on the writings of Oniroku Dan released so far by Switchblade Pictures.

There's not really anything in the way of meaningful extras on the DVD, only the credits for the DVD  and trailers for three other offerings from Switchblade Pictures.

 ACF Rating: 3 out of 4 stars; solidly recommended.