Profound Desires of the Gods (1968)

In the sweltering heart of a drought-stricken tropical island, Tokyo engineer Kariya embarks on a mission to harness life-giving water for a languishing sugar mill. His path intertwines with the Futori family, an enigmatic clan seeped in profound traditions and shunned by locals for their blatant disregard of sacred customs. Kariya's unlikely ally in this primitive landscape is Kametaro, a member of the ostracized Futoris. Together, they navigate the island's stark terrain and complex social fabric, their objective a beacon in the parched wilderness. In the depths of a pit, Nekichi Futori languishes, shackled by chains and ancient beliefs. His labor is his penance, a desperate attempt to placate the island gods for his family's transgressions. Yet, his soul is not bound by the pit but entwined with Uma, his sister and the island's shaman priestess. A custodian of the only pure water source near the mill, Uma is also ensnared in a clandestine relationship with Ryu, the stern mill manager. As Kariya delves deeper into the island's enigmatic tapestry, he is drawn into a whirlwind of traditional taboos, familial ties, and forbidden passions. The Futori patriarch's eccentric proposal to marry his sheltered daughter, Toriko, further weaves Kariya into the island's intricate narrative, blurring the lines between his role as an engineer and his growing involvement in this enthralling island drama. "Profound Desires of the Gods" is a vivid exploration of clashing cultures, human desires, and the enduring struggle between progress and tradition, set against the backdrop of a tropical island teetering on the brink of transformation.

Profound Desires of the Gods is a drama movie featuring Rentaro Mikuni.

Profound Desires of the Gods is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.