by Pamela Torres

In the heart of SUICIDE CLUB is a cheery pre-pubescent pop group called Dessart, who is relentlessly advertised and sold to he masses thanks to its latest confectionary single MAIL ME. Meanwhile, the Tokyo police department is searching for clues related to the train suicides. Among the members are Kuroda (Ryo Ishibashi), Shiby (Masatoshi Nagase) and Murata (Akaji Maro). At first, these three gentlemen believed that the deaths were instigated by an underground cult. However, that changes with Shibu receives s mysterous phone call from The Bat (Yoko Kamon), a woman who informs him of the existence of a strange but intriging website bearing rows of red and white dots. Each single dot represents a suicide, but for some unknown reason more circles pop up immediately before the deaths happen. It's later revealed that at almost every crime scene, a white sports bag is left behind. Inside it is a rather grisly souvenier: a coiled belt stitched from the victims' skins. It's never known as to who is actually doing the horrid handiwork.

During the movie's scenes of sobering satire, citizens all over Tokyo take their own lives in a farewell montage. An overweight stand-up comedian slits his throat. A girl inserts her head in a gas stove. A smiling mother methodically slices off her fingers on a cutting board (unbeknowst to her husband and children who are happily watching a Dessart chocolate bar commercial in the family den). Obviously a sinister plot to eradicate humantity is connected to Dessart, but what it is? Some American moviegoers might complain that a Japanese flick like this one has a somewhat convoluted way of storytelling, but the beauty of SUICIDE CLUB is that is forces us to mentally connect the dots. Could the songs contain subliminal messages intended to brainwash record buyers? Are the lyrics miscontrued as a message taken from someone who endured too much pain and felt that dying was the only remaining option? Are the children hiding behind their perfect faces demonic forces that swallow lost souls? Or are the girls just pawns manipulated by outside enemies (keeping in mind that the music industry hires skilled musicians to write catchy pop hooks for underage performers)?

I also have to note that the most unforgettable character in the film is Genesis. Played by former Ganch frontman Rolly, Genesis is a sadistic rock singer who appears in the latter half of the movie sporting bleach blond hair, eyeliner and black sequins. He's David Bowie, Dr. Frankenfurter and Cecil B Demented all rolled into one! He and his band of punk kidnap the Bat and drag her into a bowling alley, where the gang kills time by raping women and torturing house pets. In an insane effort to gain public noteriety, Genesis boldly labels his group THE SUICIDE CLUB and claims to have used the Internet to trigger a blood revolution. What's important about this particular scene is it reminds us how shocking rock n' roll outcasts like Ozzy Osbourne and Marilyn Manson are wrongfully blamed for encouraging fans to kill themselves or students who had bullied them. After Genesis is handcuffed and escorted to prison, it seemed like the carnage has ended. But then, another 200 red dots show up on the computer!

If you achingly desire a cinematic work with stunning imagery and a daring concept, then I recommend SUICIDE CLUB for your DVD collection. No American remake can ever do justice.