``Scanners'' A turning point for Cronenberg, who combined authorship and popular appeal.

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Scanners is full of Cronenberg-like direction and development, with unpredictable plot developments, concrete expressions of concepts, and a sad ending that is far from a refreshing one. On the other hand, it is also full of flashy car crashes, pyrotechnic stunts, and catchy highlights such as exploding heads, making it a work that "fuse" avant-garde with popular appeal. Such chaotic charm led the film to reach number one on the hit charts of the trade magazine Variety during its US release week.

Cronenberg himself humbly attributes the fact that he was lucky in that there were no rival big films in the week of release and that the company in charge of promotion had a good strategy, but whatever the case may be, the fait accompli of having taken first place remains, and Cronenberg's name, along with Exploding Head, is remembered by many people.

“Scanners” (C) 1980 Filmplan International Inc. All rights reserved

Cronenberg's name made it easier for his projects to be approved, and his follow-up, Videodrome, was a deeply philosophical and extremely avant-garde work that alienated many audiences. However, it was enthusiastically received by avant-garde artists such as Andy Warhol, and has since solidified its status as a cult work. Furthermore, as a hired director, he worked on major productions such as Stephen King's The Dead Zone (1983) and The Fly, becoming one of Hollywood's top directors to this day.

Scanners is a work that demonstrates strong individuality while also gaining popularity, and can be said to have been an important turning point in Cronenberg's filmography.

Text: Samurai Isao

Designer by profession, film writer by profession. He is working hard to promote Indian films in Japan.

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"Scanners"

2K Restore Special Edition Blu-ray

Released on Wednesday, August 4, 2021

6,380 yen (tax included) / 5,800 yen (tax excluded)

Publisher: Zeku/TC Entertainment

Distributor: TC Entertainment

(C) 1980 Filmplan International Inc. All rights reserved