Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4103 in DVD
• Brand: MUSIC VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS
• Released on: 2009-02-23
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: Japanese
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 61 minutes

Features

• LONELY COW WEEPS AT DAWN (DVD MOVIE)

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

Review
Daisuke Goto s A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn aka Cowshed of Immorality (2003) is a pink film about a senile man who mistakes his daughter-in-law for a cow. The description and title alone are enough to grab some immediate sales, but the film offers a bit more than subversive thrills. The film s main plot line involves a widow who wakes up every morning at sunrise to beat her father-in-law to his cowshed. Once there, she disrobes, and pretends to be the senile man s prize cow. The dramatic element arises from the reason behind widow s masquerade: to prevent the senile man s daughter from taking over the farm by having him declared as incompetent. Traditionalists will find enough characterization and plot in the drama to help them intellectualize the kink. Others should find the weird elements engaging enough to get them through the traditional story telling elements. This nice balance between weirdness and melodrama gives A Lonely Cow Weeps at Dawn a slightly broader appeal than the more aggressive pink titles. As such, anyone looking to investigate modern pink titles might find this film, which will be released on English subtitled DVD by Pink Eiga in late February, to be a good entry point. --Rodney Perkins, Twitchfilm.net

Customer Reviews

Bizarre, Sad and Engaging Japanese Pink Film
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]

wonderfully erotic sequences
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.

Such a bizarre but such a beautiful film!
This is masterpiece film only pink film production can create.I was knock out to see the first scene, an old guy milking young girl who is totally naked and weeps like Mow.

It is not possible to start story with such a crazy idea on mainstream film productions.
In spite of quite crazy idea, this film is based on true love romance. Yes, it is totally serious and touching.
This is absolutely worth to take your time and money to watch.