The Face of Another (1966)

The Face of Another (Tanin no kao)
Directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara
Written by Kobo Abe from his novel
1966/Japan
Teshigahara Productions/Tokyo Eiga Co. Ltd.
First viewing/Netflix rental

Psychiatrist: You’re not the only lonely man. Being free always involves being lonely. Just there is a mask you can peel off and another you can not. 

Interesting that this excellent Japanese sci-fi movie about identity came out the same year as the similarly themed Seconds (1966).

Tatsuya Nakadai portrays a man who has been horribly disfigured in a laboratory fire and now wears full facial bandages at all times.  A psychiatrist both discusses his case with him and makes a highly realistic mask that his patient can wear only 12 hours a day or the mask will adhere to the face.  With his new face the man imagines he will be free to do anything.

Unfortunately, the mask has a mind of its own.  In the meantime, a disfigured beauty tries to deal with her own trauma in her own way.

I love Teshigahara’s Woman in the Dunes (1964) and was looking forward to this one.  I was not disappointed.  It is a beautiful, disturbing film that leaves the viewer with plenty to think about.  Nakadai is, as usual, superb.  The mask effects are cunning.  The music is also a plus.  Highly recommended.

Trailer – worth watching!