Playwright and novelist Yukio Mishima predicted his own suicide with this ravishing short feature his only foray into filmmaking yet directed with the expressiveness and confidence of a true cinema artist. All prints of Patriotism (Yukoku) which depicts the seppuku (ritual suicide) of a naval officer were destroyed after Mishima's death in 1970 though the negative was saved and the film resurfaced thirty-five years later. New viewers will be stunned at the depth and clarity of Mishima's vision as well as his graphic depictions of sex and death. The film is presented here with a choice of Japanese or English intertitles. SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES:New restored high-definition digital transfer of the Japanese and English versions with optional Japanese or English intertitlesA 45-minute audio interview with Yukio Mishima speaking to the Foreign Correspondents' AssociationA 45-minute making-of documentary featuring crew from the film's productionInterview excerpts featuring Mishima discussing war and deathNew and improved English subtitle translationPLUS: A new essay by renowned critic and historian Tony Rayns Mishima's original novella and Mishima's extensive notes on the film's production.
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