We live in a world of flux. Within which we have a level of moral certainty. We know for instance that law protects us. We know that society frowns on murder. Corporate espionage however is a morally ambiguous practice. It is also a common activity. One that has dark under currents within our society. In BLACK CAR TEST and BLACK REPORT we are standing on the precipice of morality.

The Tiger Motorcar Company is developing a new super car.  Their competitors, the Yamato Company, have discovered a way to infiltrate this with undercover spies.  When Tiger’s car explodes, Toru (Hideo Takamatsu) is tasked with leading a force to root out Yamato’s spy. They suspect that the knowledge gleaned has allowed Yamato to move them to build a challenger. However spies have now infiltrated both sides. All out corporate war between the two is inevitable and it looks like no one will win.

Yasuzo Masumura film is described as a bitingly satirical espionage thriller. This actually underplays what I think is really at the heart of the work. Something that Jonathan Rosenbaum points to. This is a satirical swipe and a more probing commentary on the effect of capitalism on Japanese society.  The roots it seems to uncover are knotted and malicious but it does have a natural gift for being unrelenting. Rosenbaum comes back to the points about how Nihilistic players are, how morally they operate in a vacuum but I see pass this a little. This is the corporate world and its the same today. Sociopath tendencies are encouraged and often revered. Destructive impulses are applauded and the end result is pain and suffering to the final moments.

DISC

The HD transfer is what you would expect. I don’t like the very obvious light loss on BLACK CAR but I have to say that it could have been worse. It is also the only place you can buy this film.

EXTRAS

Jonathan Rosenbaum is the only highpoint (and only extra) His points are very good. His mind is amazingly dexterious and he might not know a large variety of Japanese society but he gives some skilled, educated points on the work of Masumura.

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS

• High Definition Blu-ray™ (1080p) presentation of Black Test Car and The Black Report
• Original uncompressed Japanese mono audio on both films
• Optional newly translated English subtitles on both films
• Newly recorded critical appreciation by Jonathan Rosenbaum
• Theatrical trailers for both films
• Image galleries for both films
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Tony Stella

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing on the films by Mark Downing Roberts