Summary of "Shinjuku Diary of a Thief" (1968)

Summary of "Shinjuku Diary of a Thief" (1968)

Nagisa Oshima's "Shinjuku Diary of a Thief" is an experimental film set in Shinjuku in 1968, depicting the anti-establishment spirit and freedom of youth. The story, which begins with the theft of a book in a bookstore, is improvised against the backdrop of Shinjuku's obscene streets and liveliness. At the time, Shinjuku was the center of the student movement and social change, a symbolic space of rebellion and creativity. The film reflects the diversity and chaos of Shinjuku, and its themes include anti-establishment messages and sexual liberation. Oshima's innovative direction and portrayal of Shinjuku had a profound influence on later Japanese cinema and culture.