Makoto Naitô – Neon kurage AKA A Flower in a Neon Jungle (1973)

letterboxd:
There was an entire sub-genre of melancholic nocturnal dramas made mostly by Toei and Nikkatsu from mid 60s through early 70s. These films typically followed hustlers, hostesses, hookers and other young people chasing their dreams in the neon lit night of vice, with story premises often taken from popular songs. Here is a superior late entry into the loosely defined genre: a stylish Tokyo red light district drama set to singer Kan Mikami’s rock ballads. Newcomer Emiko Yamauchi shines as an impulsive youth lost in the city of opportunities and seduction. She dumps her boyfriend and becomes a bar hostess after being tricked by sleazy/handsome photographer Ichiro Araki. This is a surprisingly good film that not only dials up the sex and nudity compared to the similar 60s films, but also comes with more nuanced than average characterization and a star making performance by Yamauchi, who personifies the passionate but ultimately clueless youth (sadly her active film career didn’t last even a year). The film’s biggest accomplishment, however, is how atmospherically it captures the time and location on film. This is an early 70s Tokyo time capsule of the highest order. One of director Makoto Naito’s best pictures alongside 13 Steps of Maki (1975). P.S. fan favourite Yumiko Katayama makes a one scene appearance as a nasty bitch at the beginning of the film.

A.Flower.in.a.Neon.Jungle.1973.1080i.HDTV.AAC2.0.MPEG2-DiHQS.mkv

General
Container:	Matroska
Runtime:	1h 6mn
Size:	2.93 GiB
Video
Codec:	MPEG-2
Resolution:	1440x1080 ~> 1920x1080
Aspect ratio:	16:9
Frame rate:	23.976 fps
Bit rate:	6 166 kb/s
Audio
Japanese 2.0ch AAC LC @ 141 kb/s

https://nitro.download/view/B3AA8F5E7A81E0D/A.Flower.in.a.Neon.Jungle.1973.1080i.HDTV.AAC2.0.MPEG2-DiHQS.mkv

Language(s):Japanese
Subtitles:None