Unearthed Films Presents: The Sound of Summer a Nightmarish Symphony of Horror!
Unearthed Films has recently announced the highly anticipated release of the Japanese horror film, The Sound of Summer, hitting Blu-ray on June 13th. Prepare to be immersed in a world of madness, cicadas, and self-destruction as this chilling cinematic experience takes hold.
Set against the relentless heat of an unforgiving summer, The Sound of Summer delves into a haunting tale where soaring temperatures coincide with the ear-splitting chorus of cicadas. But there’s something peculiar about a mysterious figure known as ‘the Cicada Man,’ who roams the area with boxes littered with live cicadas. Who is he? What sinister purpose do these insects serve? As our protagonist’s sanity begins to unravel in the sweltering heat, her perceptions blur between reality and delusion. Dark nightmares seep into the waking world, and she becomes convinced that the Cicada Man has implanted his swarm of insects inside her. Determined to rid herself of this infestation, she embarks on a harrowing journey of paranoia and self-mutilation, all while battling to survive the scorching summer.
The Sound of Summer is a fresh and unexplored cinematic endeavor and has never before been screened outside of Japan. Director Guy, known for his exceptional vision and audio prowess in previous works like Difficulty Breathing has crafted a truly visceral and gut-punching experience. The film’s intricate blend of body horror, insect terror, and sonic torment will leave audiences gripped with tension and awe.
Richard Taylor has previously sung praises for The Sound of Summer on the pages of Severed Cinema (read review here). According to him, the film is “a potent slow-burning mixture of body and insect horror with a seething side of sonic torment and pulsating effects work.” Such accolades from critics reaffirm the film’s status as a genre masterpiece.
The Sound of Summer comes to physical media collectors with a wealth of bonus features, making it a must-have for horror enthusiasts. Fans can expect a treasure trove of extras on the blu-ray release. These include trailers for The Sound of Summer and Difficulty Breathing, a featurette titled “Japanese Premiere,” a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s production, and a thrilling Q&A session with the creators, including renowned director Shozin Fukui.
Directed by Guy, a British-born filmmaker residing in Japan and fluent in Japanese, The Sound of Summer boasts a talented cast, including Shinya Hankawa, Kaori Hoshino, Kiyomi Kametani, Shiori Kawai, Kuromi Kirishima, Keita Kusaka, and Yuina Nagai.
Prepare to be enthralled by the captivating score composed by industrial dark synth artist Microchip Terror, while special effects by renowned artist Susumu Nakatani (known for Versus and Oowaiko) bring the film’s grotesque visuals to life.
Check out the official trailer for The Sound of Summer for a glimpse into what terror awaits.