Cinema
Cruel Story of Youth
青春残酷物語
Nagisa Oshima · 1960
Synopsis
Tokyo, 1960. Makoto, a young girl who hangs around in bars, is driven home by a man who tries to abuse her, according to Turner Classic Movies. Kiyoshi, a young man, comes upon them, hits him and demands money. The two young people become close; he takes her to see the demonstrations against the security treaty. Reproached by her elder sister, Makoto goes to live with him, and they devise a scheme: she lures middle-aged motorists, and he springs out and extorts money from them.
Context
It is its author's second feature film, produced by Shōchiku and released on 3 June 1960. The shoot, handheld and on location, took place in the year when the military alliance with the United States brought into the streets the crowds that the characters go to see. The choice of young delinquents as heroes caused controversy, but the film was a critical and popular success, reports Turner Classic Movies, and it is regarded as one of the key works of the Japanese New Wave.
Who it is for
An hour and a half in vivid colours and real locations, about a directionless youth in the Tokyo of 1960.
Prizes and reception
Blue Ribbon Award for best newcomer for its director in 1960, it also found a wide audience in Japan.
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