"Ice", by Anna Kavan

Novel, 1967

Hypnotic novel about the struggle between three characters and an ecological catastrophe threatening to disrupt the pursuit between them. This is an episodic novel where themes and actions are repeated, echoed and emphasised, particularly as the main protagonist sees the woman he's chasing flee ever increasingly away from him. Some great writing and it pays to read this one slowly, with the tension and the ever elusive nature of the pursuit building and building as the book progresses. Not an easy read, but memorable and, in places, pretty disturbing.

"Branded to Kill", directed by Seijun Suzuki

Movie, 1967

At times hypnotic, at times frustrating thriller about an assassin tormented by his carnal and professional desires and ambitions. A film whose surreal structure, flamboyant scenes and stunning imagery work in isolation, although don't make for an entirely satisfactory whole. What the film has in these respects it lacks in warmth and humanity, which isn't helped by a jerky narrative. There's plenty to admire here and some of the beats and motifs are a joy, but the stories and legends around the film are probably more interesting than the film is entertaining.