Cruel Story of Youth (1960)

Set against the backdrop of a rebellious generation, Cruel Story of Youth (1960) is an exploration of turbulent young love, twisted by societal defiance and sexual awakening. Kiyoshi, a university student with a cynical outlook on love, sees women as mere objects. In contrast, Makoto, a high school girl, is just beginning to comprehend her own burgeoning sexuality, engaging in risky games of seduction with middle-aged men, purely for the thrill of it. Their paths intersect when Kiyoshi rescues Makoto from the clutches of one such man, marking the start of their tumultuous relationship. It's a relationship fueled by emotional dependency, a mutual rebellion against the conventions of their society. Their interactions oscillate between cruelty and tenderness, as they simultaneously objectify each other and seek solace in their shared defiance. In their struggle against societal norms, they find a perverse sense of empowerment in their sexuality. They exploit it as a weapon to extort money from the same middle-aged men Makoto used to play her innocent games with. This becomes their twisted means of survival, a demonstration of the only power they believe they possess. Their precarious balance of rebellion and dependency comes under threat when unexpected events, including a pregnancy and a brief stint in jail, force them to reevaluate. Cruel Story of Youth masterfully intertwines the themes of power, rebellion, and young love, painting a haunting portrait of youth in a society they desperately attempt to resist. The film leaves viewers contemplating the destructive potential of love when corrupted by desperation and societal disillusionment.

Cruel Story of Youth is a crime movie featuring Yūsuke Kawazu and directed by Nagisa Ōshima.

Cruel Story of Youth is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.