Murder Catalogue

About This Movie

Murder Catalogue is one of those curiosities in the documentary genre. It's Matsumoto's early video exploration, which dives into grotesque imagery that was pretty avant-garde for its time. The pacing is deliberately slow, allowing the viewer to dwell in the unsettling atmosphere it creates. There’s a rawness to its practical effects that heightens the eerie narrative, almost like a glimpse into a surreal, nightmarish world. The absence of a known director adds to its mystique, making it feel more like an underground artifact than a polished piece. It gives you a sense of unease that lingers long after watching, encapsulating a moment in video art history that’s hard to find these days.

Murder Catalogue is a rarity in the collector's circuit, primarily because of its limited screenings and the nature of its content. Most copies are from early half-inch videotapes, which are difficult to come by and often in fragile condition. This film intrigues collectors due to its peculiar narrative style and its place in the evolution of video art, making it a distinctive piece within any serious collection.