Kuni Fukai, the art director of the 1973 film Belladonna of Sadness, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to create a restored art book for the movie. The campaign, which aims to raise 3 million yen (approximately US$20,800), is currently ongoing on the Motion Gallery site until October 31. As of now, the campaign has already raised 2,266,000 yen (around US$15,900).
At 89 years old, Kuni Fukai is creating his first art book based on the film, which will feature artwork from the recent 4K remastered version of Belladonna of Sadness. If the crowdfunding campaign is successful, Fukai plans to launch a second campaign for another art book related to the film. The movie, distributed by Discotek, was released on a new 4K transfer on a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc earlier this year.
Belladonna of Sadness follows the story of Jeanne, whose wedding night turns into a nightmare, leading her to encounter an impish apparition that offers her otherworldly powers. The film, part of Mushi Production’s Animerama trilogy, is known for its harrowing visuals and psychedelic themes. Osamu Tezuka produced the film, while Eiichi Yamamoto wrote and directed it.
Cinelicious Pics previously restored the film in 4K resolution from its original negative and distributed it in theaters, on home video, and on-demand platforms. The movie is also available for streaming on various platforms such as Tubi TV, Vudu, and Prime Video. Despite its limited release in the US, Belladonna of Sadness has garnered a cult following and has been screened at various film festivals over the years.
The crowdfunding campaign for the art book aims to celebrate the unique and artistic elements of the film, preserving its legacy for both existing fans and new audiences to appreciate. With the support of backers, Kuni Fukai hopes to bring his vision to life and create a stunning tribute to Belladonna of Sadness through his artwork.
