Forbidden relationships, homoeroticism, the complexities of human desire and the challenges imposed by social expectations are some of the themes that Nagisa Ōshima explores in Taboo - a film that marked the Japanese director’s return to cinema after a 13-year hiatus and the last film he made before his death. In Kyoto, during the Edo period, the arrival of the young Sozaburo Kano (Ryuhei Matsuda) in the Shinsengumi army of samurai warriors causes a stir among the other samurai due to his beauty and enigmatic attitude. Between strict rules and intensive training with swords, Kano arouses lust and jealousy when he becomes sexually involved with several warriors — and is eventually involved in a murder.

The 11 Nov screening will be presented by Miguel Patrício (curator)