Source: Janus Films Official Movie Site: janusfilms.com/house

On July 30, 1977, Toho Co. Ltd released HOUSE (Hausu), a bizarre horror film written and directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi. Mixing scares, comedy, and psychedelic imagery— and based on an idea by the director`s 11 year-old daughter— HOUSE told the tale of seven high school girls who are trapped inside a haunted house with a bloodthirsty aunt, a demonic black cat, and killer pianos, mattresses, and chandeliers. The movie won the award for "Best Visual Effects" at the 23rd Asian Film Festival and went on to become a cult favorite in Japan. In the North America, however, HOUSE has rarely been shown. Toho`s international division prepared a subtitled version which had a few US screenings in the late 1970s. More recently, distributor Janus Films acquired rights to the film. HOUSE premiered on the Independent Film Channel on November 22, 2008 and has had a handful of theatrical showings this year, including screenings at the New York Asian Film Festival 2009 in June, Montreal`s FanTasia Festival in July, and last month at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin. Janus is now giving the film an actual— if small— theatrical run in North America starting October 28. Check out Janus` HOUSE website for additional details and a list of playdates through the end of 2009. Now word yet if HOUSE will be released on Region 1 DVD by Janus` video distribution partner, the Criterion Collection. HOUSE (Hausu) 1977 87 minutes Japanese Language with English Subtitles

Seven high school girls find themselves in serious trouble. Photo courtesy of Janus Films. © 1977 Toho Co., Ltd.

Starring: Gorgeous (Oshare): Kimiko Ikegami Fantasy (Fanta): Kumiko Oba Prof (Gari): Ai Matsubara Kung Fu (Kunfu): Miki Jinbo Mac (Matsuku): Mieko Sato Melody (Melodi): Eriko Tanaka Sweet (Suito): Masayo Miyako Auntie: Yoko Minamida Daddy (Oshare`s Father): Saho Sasazawa Mr. Togo: Kiyohiko Ozaki Ryoko Ema: Haruko Wanibuchi Photographer: Mitsutoshi Ishigami Watermelon man: Asei Kobayashi Auntie`s fiancé: Tomokazu Miura Teacher: Fumi Dan Godiego: Godiego Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi Writers: Chiho Katsura, Nobuhiko Obayashi Original Story: Chigumi Obayashi Cinematographer: Yoshitaka Sakamoto Production Design: Kazuo Satsuya Music: Asei Kobayashi, Mickie Yoshino Songs Performed by: Godiego Editor: Nobuo Ogawa Special Effects Director: Nobuhiko Obayashi Producers: Nobuhiko Obayashi, Yarihiko Yamada Executive Producer: Tomoyuki Tanaka

For more information on HOUSE please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan:

• Godzilla and Toho Films at the Silent Movie Theatre in Los Angeles
• Toho Horror Film HOUSE on IFC
• New York Asian Film Festival 2009- Information and Schedule
• Japanese Cult Classics GOKE and HOUSE at the Egyptian Theatre