Getting intimate by MATTHEW HAYS Patrice Chéreau's much talked about, controversial adaptation of the short stories of Hanif Kureishi, Intimacy, arrives on Montreal screens this Friday. Chéreau, a renowned French director behind the excellent La Reine Margot, here proves his versatility and his ability to operate perfectly in a language other than his mother tongue. The film, a semi-autobiographical look at infidelity and sexual obsession, is performed beautifully by a top-notch cast that includes Mark Rylance, Kerry Fox, Timothy Spall, Susannah Harker and Marianne Faithfull. It's certain not to please all tastes; the film unfolds at a decidedly unusual pace, and at times the dialogue--which is true to Kureishi's original stories--borders on the Pinteresque. But key to the film are the explicit and completely frank scenes of sex between the characters. Missionary position, hand jobs, blow jobs--you name it, this movie's got it, in yet another upping of the ante of sex on screen. Intimacy is one of those unusual films that is as unique as it is rewarding. The prudish need not attend. I can't be enthusiastic enough about the small but always fascinating Japanese Film Festival; this weekend will mark its 19th edition. The fest consistently presents thoroughly enjoyable films, the best of this vital national cinema. On Friday (Nov. 16), the black comedy My Secret Cache will screen, and on Saturday (Nov. 17), the gorgeous Deep River unreels, an award winner at the '95 World Film Fest. Best of all, the Japanese consulate organizes this event and ensures that it's free to the public. See fest listings for details. Dario Argento fans have reason to rejoice this week. The irreplaceable, irrepressible Mitch Davis, that self-described film freak who programs the midnight screenings at Cinéma du Parc, has managed to land a print of the cult director's bizarre '87 shocker, Opera. In a typically cryptic plot, an opera singer preparing for a launch finds that her stage jitters are only worsened when a stalker begins to murder her close friends and co-workers. Making the horror all the more nasty, she's tied up and forced to watch each terrible crime. Visually innovative, this is considered Argento's last truly invigorating bit of work. It screens at the Parc this weekend--see repertory listings for details. COMMENTS: mhays@mtl-mirror.com