Tom Mes
@midnightmes.bsky.social
Writes and talks about Japanese films a lot.
The full line-up for the V-Cinema focus program I curated for the International Film Festival Rotterdam is up now:
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
Focus: V-cinema Archives - IFFR EN
Japan’s direct-to-video phenomenon V-Cinema emerged in the late 1980s and left a lasting mark in contemporary film culture. The V-Cinema production model responded to the rise of video rental, by prod...
iffr.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:34 AM
The full line-up for the V-Cinema focus program I curated for the International Film Festival Rotterdam is up now:
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
Great to be part of this set and the ongoing rediscovery of Takashi Ishii by Third Window. These are challenging but very worthwhile films, with a fine set of colleagues providing extras to boot.
Takashi Ishii: The Angel Guts Collection
Limited edition set w/booklet by Midori Suiren
Order @terracottadist.bsky.social
shop.terracottadistribution.com/products/tak...
Bonus features from @jbalmont.bsky.social @jaspersharp.bsky.social @midnightmes.bsky.social @timessqkungfu.bsky.social + more!
Limited edition set w/booklet by Midori Suiren
Order @terracottadist.bsky.social
shop.terracottadistribution.com/products/tak...
Bonus features from @jbalmont.bsky.social @jaspersharp.bsky.social @midnightmes.bsky.social @timessqkungfu.bsky.social + more!
December 22, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Great to be part of this set and the ongoing rediscovery of Takashi Ishii by Third Window. These are challenging but very worthwhile films, with a fine set of colleagues providing extras to boot.
And Agitator also gets a US standalone release. Both this and the box contain the 200-minute extended cut, available in its original two-part form for the first time since the 2001 Japanese VHS release
US: AGITATOR will also be released as a standalone Limited Edition in US/CA. Both discs include the 200 min extended version, presented in its original two-part format for the first time outside of Japan.
December 3, 2025 at 1:06 PM
And Agitator also gets a US standalone release. Both this and the box contain the 200-minute extended cut, available in its original two-part form for the first time since the 2001 Japanese VHS release
Radiance's first Miike release and a big one: three of his best films in one set. Includes new interviews with Miike on all 3 films plus much more
UK: Takashi Miike’s transition from DTV ‘V-cinema’ to international acclaim is charted in UNDERWORLD CHRONICLES, collecting three yakuza fables
UNDERWORLD CHRONICLES includes a 4K UHD of FUDOH: THE NEW GENERATION, and Blu-rays of AGITATOR and DEADLY OUTLAW: REKKA.
UNDERWORLD CHRONICLES includes a 4K UHD of FUDOH: THE NEW GENERATION, and Blu-rays of AGITATOR and DEADLY OUTLAW: REKKA.
December 3, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Radiance's first Miike release and a big one: three of his best films in one set. Includes new interviews with Miike on all 3 films plus much more
Thanks to Variety for a headline that is sure to sell extra tickets
variety.com/2025/film/fe...
variety.com/2025/film/fe...
‘Female Teacher: Forbidden Sex’ Among Selections as Rotterdam Spotlights Japan’s V-Cinema Movement
Rotterdam's 2026 Focus spotlights Japan's V-Cinema era with films by Miike Takashi, Nakata Hideo, Kurosawa Kiyoshi and Aoyama Shinji.
variety.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Thanks to Variety for a headline that is sure to sell extra tickets
variety.com/2025/film/fe...
variety.com/2025/film/fe...
The cat's out of the bag: I'm curating a V-Cinema focus program for the upcoming International Film Festival Rotterdam
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Rotterdam Film Fest Unveils Focus Program on Japanese V-Cinema Phenomenon
The direct-to-video trend that emerged in the late 1980s “left a lasting mark on contemporary film culture,” organizers said. The focus program will “feature early works by now-famous auteurs, through...
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The cat's out of the bag: I'm curating a V-Cinema focus program for the upcoming International Film Festival Rotterdam
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
As much of a genre game-changer as Battles Without Honour and Humanity four years earlier. Our release comes with contributions from Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, writer Koji Takada, yakuza film historian Akihiko Ito and yours truly, along with an archival interview with director Sadao Nakajima
UK/US: Long unavailable outside of Japan, Sadao Nakajima’s sprawling THE JAPANESE GODFATHER TRILOGY is based on the true story of the country’s largest crime syndicate.
All Blu-ray world premieres, special features include a new filmed interview with screenwriter Koji Takada.
All Blu-ray world premieres, special features include a new filmed interview with screenwriter Koji Takada.
November 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
As much of a genre game-changer as Battles Without Honour and Humanity four years earlier. Our release comes with contributions from Kazuyoshi Kumakiri, writer Koji Takada, yakuza film historian Akihiko Ito and yours truly, along with an archival interview with director Sadao Nakajima
Radiance's biggest release yet, co-produced by Francesco Simeoni and myself: a big box full of peak Oshima
UK: Considered one of the most vital and celebrated bodies of work in cinema history, RADICAL JAPAN: CINEMA AND STATE presents 9 films by the great Nagisa Oshima over 7 discs
This world premiere release showcases 7 features, an experimental short and the filmmaker’s 1995 doc plus a 160-page book
This world premiere release showcases 7 features, an experimental short and the filmmaker’s 1995 doc plus a 160-page book
August 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Radiance's biggest release yet, co-produced by Francesco Simeoni and myself: a big box full of peak Oshima
Reposted by Tom Mes
Another OOP Booklet Essay has been republished on our Substack, an intro to the world of Daiei Gothic by @midnightmes.bsky.social from our first boxset (ahead of the second instalment in October)
open.substack.com/pub/radiance...
open.substack.com/pub/radiance...
The Haunted Realm of Daiei Gothic
Our latest Substack reprints Tom Mes' introduction to the world of Daiei Gothic and Japanese Ghost Stories
open.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Another OOP Booklet Essay has been republished on our Substack, an intro to the world of Daiei Gothic by @midnightmes.bsky.social from our first boxset (ahead of the second instalment in October)
open.substack.com/pub/radiance...
open.substack.com/pub/radiance...
More DAIEI GOTHIC coming to get you this Halloween!
UK/US: Three classic Japanese ghost stories are newly restored in 4K by us for our second volume of DAIEI GOTHIC.
Each release comes with new appreciations and context, as well as a 80-page perfect bound book featuring, among others, original prose ghost stories.
Each release comes with new appreciations and context, as well as a 80-page perfect bound book featuring, among others, original prose ghost stories.
July 15, 2025 at 1:24 PM
More DAIEI GOTHIC coming to get you this Halloween!
My latest production for @filmsradiance.bsky.social is this very fine 1960s chanbara, which among other delights has one of the jaw-droppingest finales the genre has to offer
UK/US: An underappreciated great of Samurai cinema, an honourable swordsman finds himself framed, exiled and hunted in the breathtaking THE BETRAYAL.
This world Blu-ray premiere includes select-scene commentary by @midnightmes and a visual essay by Philip Kemp.
This world Blu-ray premiere includes select-scene commentary by @midnightmes and a visual essay by Philip Kemp.
June 16, 2025 at 1:17 AM
My latest production for @filmsradiance.bsky.social is this very fine 1960s chanbara, which among other delights has one of the jaw-droppingest finales the genre has to offer
Happy 20th anniversary @thirdwindowfilms.com ! You've done trailblazing work in expanding the horizons of Japanese film releasing. Here's to many more!
June 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Happy 20th anniversary @thirdwindowfilms.com ! You've done trailblazing work in expanding the horizons of Japanese film releasing. Here's to many more!
The gist of yesterday's Sion Sono press conference: "It's all lies. I'm the only victim here."
Reporter: "But a judge acknowledged your sexual improprieties as fact."
Sono: "That was just an afterword to the real verdict. It doesn't count."
Reporter: "But a judge acknowledged your sexual improprieties as fact."
Sono: "That was just an afterword to the real verdict. It doesn't count."
May 28, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The gist of yesterday's Sion Sono press conference: "It's all lies. I'm the only victim here."
Reporter: "But a judge acknowledged your sexual improprieties as fact."
Sono: "That was just an afterword to the real verdict. It doesn't count."
Reporter: "But a judge acknowledged your sexual improprieties as fact."
Sono: "That was just an afterword to the real verdict. It doesn't count."
Go get 'em all!
It wouldn't be Third Window Films without Shinya Tsukamoto!
We've released the vast majority of his films and all are part of our 20th Anniversary #Sale going on til June 6th @terracottadist.bsky.social
20% off all of them (*discount in cart)
shop.terracottadistribution.com/collections/...
We've released the vast majority of his films and all are part of our 20th Anniversary #Sale going on til June 6th @terracottadist.bsky.social
20% off all of them (*discount in cart)
shop.terracottadistribution.com/collections/...
May 26, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Go get 'em all!
Lots more extras geared up for this one. These next three films are at least as much fun as the original trilogy, with Raizo continuing as a different ninja character
UK/US: Three more spectacular tales of ninja action await in SHINOBI VOL. 2, with Raizo Ichikawa appearing as a ninja with a grudge against a supreme Shogun.
Extras include new interviews with film historians Taichi Kasuga and Mance Thompson and 6 exclusive postcards.
Extras include new interviews with film historians Taichi Kasuga and Mance Thompson and 6 exclusive postcards.
May 24, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Lots more extras geared up for this one. These next three films are at least as much fun as the original trilogy, with Raizo continuing as a different ninja character
Off on a location shoot and saying hi to Yusaku Matsuda's iconic scooter from the Detective Story TV series, 47 years on and still in excellent condition
April 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Off on a location shoot and saying hi to Yusaku Matsuda's iconic scooter from the Detective Story TV series, 47 years on and still in excellent condition
Whoever said 1980s Japanese cinema was dull never saw Yusaku Matsuda kill off his action hero persona by playing a nihilistic mass murderer with a thing for Chopin and Rip Van Winkle
UK/US: Yusaku Matsuda (Yokohama BJ Blues) is a mentally unstable war photographer searching for a criminal accomplice in THE BEAST TO DIE.
Extras include new interviews with director Toru Murakawa, writer Schoichi Maruyama and an appreciation from @jordanharper.bsky.social
Extras include new interviews with director Toru Murakawa, writer Schoichi Maruyama and an appreciation from @jordanharper.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Whoever said 1980s Japanese cinema was dull never saw Yusaku Matsuda kill off his action hero persona by playing a nihilistic mass murderer with a thing for Chopin and Rip Van Winkle
Hard to believe I've known this man for half my life. Thanks to @arrowvideo.bsky.social for the opportunity to meet up again. Look for announcements in the near future
March 23, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Hard to believe I've known this man for half my life. Thanks to @arrowvideo.bsky.social for the opportunity to meet up again. Look for announcements in the near future
Reposted by Tom Mes
Just finished listening to this excellent conversation between Samm Deighan and Tom Mes on V-Cinema. I especially loved the ending, touching on the gaps that are still yet to be uncovered in Japanese cinema. Highly recommend giving this a listen.
With @arrowvideo.bsky.social's box set V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal on the horizon, I sit down with Samm Deighan to talk about, of course, Japanese straight-to-video movies!
cinepunx.com/eros-massacr...
cinepunx.com/eros-massacr...
Eros + Massacre Episode 16: Japanese V-Cinema with Tom Mes
It's spring equinox and Eros + Massacre is emerging from hibernation! This first episode of 2025 is a discussion with cinema historian Tom Mes. He's an international treasure and many of you were lik
cinepunx.com
March 21, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Just finished listening to this excellent conversation between Samm Deighan and Tom Mes on V-Cinema. I especially loved the ending, touching on the gaps that are still yet to be uncovered in Japanese cinema. Highly recommend giving this a listen.
With @arrowvideo.bsky.social's box set V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal on the horizon, I sit down with Samm Deighan to talk about, of course, Japanese straight-to-video movies!
cinepunx.com/eros-massacr...
cinepunx.com/eros-massacr...
Eros + Massacre Episode 16: Japanese V-Cinema with Tom Mes
It's spring equinox and Eros + Massacre is emerging from hibernation! This first episode of 2025 is a discussion with cinema historian Tom Mes. He's an international treasure and many of you were lik
cinepunx.com
March 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
With @arrowvideo.bsky.social's box set V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal on the horizon, I sit down with Samm Deighan to talk about, of course, Japanese straight-to-video movies!
cinepunx.com/eros-massacr...
cinepunx.com/eros-massacr...
At Radiance we continue the streak of Tai Kato releases with his fabulous version of the classic Yotsuya Ghost Story
UK/US: Tai Kato adapts the legendary Yotsuya Ghost story into the gritty and gruesome THE TALE OF OIWA’S GHOST.
The Blu-ray world premiere features a visual essay by Lindsay Nelson, an appreciation by Mari Asato and booklet by @midnightmes.bsky.social
The Blu-ray world premiere features a visual essay by Lindsay Nelson, an appreciation by Mari Asato and booklet by @midnightmes.bsky.social
March 8, 2025 at 11:57 AM
At Radiance we continue the streak of Tai Kato releases with his fabulous version of the classic Yotsuya Ghost Story
Reposted by Tom Mes
UK/US: Based on the real exploits of seven-time prison escapee, THE RAPACIOUS JAILBREAKER is a raw work of 70s Japanese cinema starring Hiroki Matsukata (Hokuriku Proxy War)
This thrilling release comes with audio commentary by Nathan Stuart and a visual essay by @midnightmes.bsky.social
This thrilling release comes with audio commentary by Nathan Stuart and a visual essay by @midnightmes.bsky.social
February 5, 2025 at 11:35 AM
UK/US: Based on the real exploits of seven-time prison escapee, THE RAPACIOUS JAILBREAKER is a raw work of 70s Japanese cinema starring Hiroki Matsukata (Hokuriku Proxy War)
This thrilling release comes with audio commentary by Nathan Stuart and a visual essay by @midnightmes.bsky.social
This thrilling release comes with audio commentary by Nathan Stuart and a visual essay by @midnightmes.bsky.social
It was a great pleasure to appear on the podcast, not in the least because I have a long history with Mondo Macabro, going back to when it was just the title of a book and not yet the name of a company
Honored to sit down with @midnightmes.bsky.social and discuss the films of Shinya Tsukamoto as part of the new @mondomacabro.bsky.social podcast! Thank you Tom 🙏🏼
February 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
It was a great pleasure to appear on the podcast, not in the least because I have a long history with Mondo Macabro, going back to when it was just the title of a book and not yet the name of a company
Arrow's Toei V-cinema box set is here! Been working on this for much of the past months, producing all the interviews and making my visual essay. I originally recommended these nine titles and am very glad Arrow picked them all up. Good times ahead!
www.arrowfilms.com/blu-ray/v-ci...
www.arrowfilms.com/blu-ray/v-ci...
V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal Limited Edition Blu-ray
Buy V-Cinema Essentials: Bullets & Betrayal Limited Edition Blu-ray from Arrow Films.
www.arrowfilms.com
February 3, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Arrow's Toei V-cinema box set is here! Been working on this for much of the past months, producing all the interviews and making my visual essay. I originally recommended these nine titles and am very glad Arrow picked them all up. Good times ahead!
www.arrowfilms.com/blu-ray/v-ci...
www.arrowfilms.com/blu-ray/v-ci...