The Fine Arts Theatre in Mission, 5909 Johnson Drive, is undertaking an unusual promotion for the film “Audition,” which is scheduled to open today. This disturbing Japanese horror movie has been linked to several reports of unsuspecting viewers who have been unable to finish watching as the result of nausea and fainting. In a bit of William Castle-style promotion, the Fine Arts will be offering a free video rental to any patron that can stay through the entire film in one viewing.

“Audition” is director Takashi Miike’s tale of a widowed TV-producer’s search for a bride through the means of a fake casting call for young actresses.

According to Fine Art’s manager Justin Gifford, “The Japanese tell horror films in a completely different way than filmmakers from other countries do. ‘Audition’ is really perverted and bizarre, but in an old-fashioned way. It’s not so much gory, just emotionally draining and tense.”

While no one who attended the small critic’s screening last week succumbed to any ill-effects, theater co-owner Brian Mossman thinks that the regular audience will be susceptible to the movie’s impact. “(Although) this a promotion, I can assure you that there will be a number of people who won’t be getting a free rental.”

For more information call the theater at (913) 262-4466.