Funeral Parade of Roses (1969)

In the pulsating heart of Tokyo, Gonda presides over the Genet, an animated gay bar brimming with transvestites poised to serve the clientele. Among them, the elegant Leda stands as the reigning madame, serving as both Gonda's lover and a relic of geisha-styled tradition. Their domestic harmony is disrupted by the arrival of Eddie, a vivacious, modern transvestite who challenges Leda's established position. Eddie, living fearlessly as a woman, carries the scars of a troubled past. Abandoned by her father and ridiculed by her mother, she has developed a fierce determination. This resilience compels Gonda into a passionate affair with her, as he dangles the tantalizing promise of becoming the new madame, replacing Leda both professionally and personally. The stakes heighten as Eddie threatens to walk away, forcing Gonda to juggle his double life between the two transvestites. As this love triangle unfolds, the narrative teeters on the brink of reality and fiction. Unbeknownst to both Gonda and Eddie, they share a joint history that threatens to shift the dynamics of their relationship. Simultaneously, Eddie finds solace in a band of counter-culturalists, including the filmmaker Guevara, whose own film-making journey parallels this narrative. The line between fiction and reality blurs further as the actors delve into candid discussions around themes explored in the film, including drug use and sexuality, adding another layer of authenticity as the transvestite roles are embodied by real-life transvestites. Funeral Parade of Roses is an intoxicating blend of drama, passion, and identity, where the players don't merely act, but live their truth in this mesmerizing tale of love and deception.

Funeral Parade of Roses is a drama movie featuring Shinnosuke Ikehata and directed by Toshio Matsumoto.

Funeral Parade of Roses is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Night Flight Plus.