In 1998 Hideo Nakata both pioneered and served up a singular pinnacle of the J-Horror phenomenon with the urban myth that was 'Ringu'. Later remade to great effect starring Naomi Watts, Ringu had a classic set-up: A videotape which, if you watched it, would ensure your death - unless you passed it on. With such a high concept the film could hardly fail and fail it did not. As the story unfolds the simple but chilling premise gives way to a whole new kind of folklore which was represented in several sequels and many, many films which imitated Nakata's black-haired spectre. This is the definitive moment of a truly terrifying film - in which we see the horror on our screens finally made real and crawling out from the TV to come and get us. Obviously the breach between entertainment and reality is the final boundary for horror and in 'Ringu' Nakata delivered a concept and an image that were utterly unforgettable.
Originally from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, now residing in East London with my wife and cat. I'm a member of Ghost Carriage Phantoms, co-owner of Marketstall Records, Editor of #flatoutfucked fanzine, a regular contributor to various music/culture websites and the co-author of a couple of scripts, mired in the endless hell of pre-production.
