Death by Hanging [Blu-ray]

Nagisa Oshima's "Death by Hanging" is a searing black comedy that dissects institutionalized racism, the absurdities of the judicial system, and the cruelty of the death penalty. The film centers on a botched execution of a Korean citizen, which sparks a profound debate among wardens, prosecutors, medics, and clergy about the possibility of executing a man who survived his initial sentence. Despite the apparent memory loss from the accident, the convict demonstrates a will of his own, challenging the system's assumptions.

• New 4K restoration from the original negative
• Uncompressed mono PCM audio
• Audio commentary by author Samm Deighan (2025)
• Includes "Yunbogi’s Diary" - Oshima’s documentary (1965, 30 mins)
• Appreciation by filmmaker Yang Yonghi (2025, 21 mins)
• Newly improved English subtitle translation

• Director: Nagisa Oshima
• Actors: Do-yun Yu, Fumio Watanabe, Kei Sato
• Language: Japanese, English
• Runtime: 1 hour and 58 minutes
• Release Date: 17 August 2026
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: Blu-ray
• EAN: 5060974682881

Set almost entirely within the confines of the execution chamber, Oshima masterfully blends his signature actors with novice performers to create an irreverent satire. The film's humor never detracts from the gravity of its subject matter, offering a thought-provoking and unforgettable cinematic experience.