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Cruel Story of Youth
Cruel Story of Youth
7.4
/10
716 Ratings

CRUEL STORY OF YOUTH

Seishun zankoku monogatari | 青春残酷物語

Directed by Nagisa Ôshima
Japan, 1960
Drama

Synopsis

In 1960 Japan, restless university student Kyoshi seduces teenager Makoto and quickly convinces her to take part in a dark, cruel scheme, both to get easy money and to keep their boredom at bay. They begin preying on middle-aged men, who easily succumb to Makoto’s charms, only to be blackmailed.

Synopsis

In 1960 Japan, restless university student Kyoshi seduces teenager Makoto and quickly convinces her to take part in a dark, cruel scheme, both to get easy money and to keep their boredom at bay. They begin preying on middle-aged men, who easily succumb to Makoto’s charms, only to be blackmailed.

Our take

Nagisa Oshima’s frenetic Japanese New Wave landmark is subsumed by sweaty, impetuous lust and impotent rage. Wrapped in garish hues, this tale of blasé delinquency speaks to the alienation and insecurity deeply felt by a young generation in post-occupation Japan. The kids are definitely not alright!