Sada (1998)
Nobuhiko Obayashi's lyrical and haunting portrait of Sada Abe, the woman whose obsessive love affair shocked 1930s Japan and made her a legend.
Sada - Movie Information
- Original Title: SADA 戯作・阿部定の生涯
- Release Year: 1998
- Directed by: Nobuhiko Obayashi
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 12m
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 11, 1998 (Japan)
- Alternative Titles: Sada: Gesaku (US), 사다 (KR)
- Production Companies: Shochiku
- Production Countries: Japan
Sada - Plot
The film follows the life of Sada Abe, who became a celebrity in 1936 after strangling her lover and slicing off his penis.
Sada - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a glimpse into Obayashi's haunting vision of Sada Abe's story.
A true story of sexual obsession.
Where to Watch Sada
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Sada - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Nobuhiko Obayashi
Main Cast
- Hitomi Kuroki
- Tsurutaro Kataoka
- Norihei Miki
- Kippei Shiina
- Toshie Negishi
- Renji Ishibashi
- Bengal
- Kyūsaku Shimada
- Tomorowo Taguchi
- Hisashi Igawa
Writers
- Hiroko Nishizawa
- Nobuhiko Obayashi
Producers
- Hisao Nabeshima
- Kyōko Ōbayashi
Sada - FAQs
Is Sada based on a true story?
Yes, Sada is rooted in one of Japan's most infamous real-life cases. In May 1936, Sada Abe strangled her lover Kichizo Ishida during an erotic encounter and severed his genitals, carrying them with her when she was arrested days later. The case captivated and shocked the nation.
Who plays Sada Abe in the 1998 film?
Hitomi Kuroki takes on the demanding lead role of Sada Abe in Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1998 film. Her portrayal traces Sada's life from her troubled youth through her work as a geisha and restaurant maid, culminating in the obsessive love affair that made her one of Japan's most notorious figures.
Where can you stream Sada (1998)?
You can stream Sada on the Criterion Channel, where it's available as part of a flat-rate subscription. It's a fitting home for the film, given the Criterion Channel's dedication to world cinema and auteur works. Check availability in your region for the most current streaming options.
How does Obayashi's Sada differ from In the Realm of the Senses?
While Nagisa Oshima's 1976 In the Realm of the Senses is explicitly erotic and confrontational, Obayashi's Sada takes a more lyrical, biographical approach. Obayashi frames Sada's story as a sweeping life portrait, blending melodrama with his signature visual poetry rather than focusing on graphic sexuality.
Who directed Sada and what is his style?
Nobuhiko Obayashi directed Sada. Best known internationally for the surreal horror classic Hausu (1977), Obayashi brings an unconventional, visually inventive sensibility to this biographical drama. His style blends emotional intensity with experimental filmmaking techniques, giving Sada a distinctly personal and poetic quality.
How long is the film Sada (1998)?
Sada runs for 132 minutes, or just over two hours. The film uses that runtime to trace Sada Abe's full life story, from her early years and work in the entertainment world to the fateful love affair with Tatsuzo Kikumoto that would define her place in Japanese cultural history.
When was Sada released and where?
Sada had its Japanese theatrical premiere on April 11, 1998. The film later received a US release on August 10, 2004, where it was distributed under the alternative title Sada: Gesaku. It was produced by Shochiku, one of Japan's oldest and most storied film studios.
What is the meaning of the tagline for Sada?
The tagline "A true story of sexual obsession" captures the film's dual nature — it's both a factual account of a real historical figure and an unflinching exploration of desire taken to its most extreme conclusion. Obayashi uses the real Sada Abe case to examine how passion, longing, and possession can spiral beyond all reason.
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