Pure

Based on the real-life story chronicled in the 1976 Japanese stunner “In the Realm of Senses,” David Aaron Clark returns to the director’s chair for this intense and thrilling drama with an Asian-dominated cast.

You’ll remember that Clark has a singular devotion to Asians as evidenced by his oeuvre at Video Team, most notably the “Asia Noir” series. “Pure” is his darkest — and boldest — effort to date. The plot chronicles the story of ex-hooker Sada (a magnetic Asa Akira) who falls into a forbidden yet torrid sexual relationship with the husband (Keni Styles) of the bondage dungeon she works at.

The sex scenes between Akira and Styles, interstitially woven throughout the movie, build with passion and are shot beautifully. They get progressively rougher and darker, building with intensity.

Known for hard sex, Clark has lost nothing off his fastball. The scene between Akira and fellow Evil Angel director Jake Malone sizzles with S/M inflections. Tied up in intricately woven knots, Akira gets dominated.

The three-way lesbian bondage scene with Jessica Bangkok, Destiny and Lana Violet also sears with earnest, raw sexual tension. Clark has put together a fantastically rich production here — one of the best of the year. Yes, it’s dark and foreboding, but that’s what makes it work. Excellent videography, an intriguing score, intelligent script and home run performances from Akira and Styles makes “Pure” this reviewer’s favorite feature of the year.