The title character, played by Tadanori Yokoo, takes the first step on the road to ruin when he steals an inconsequential item from a bookstore. Caught in the act by the shopgirl (Rie Yokoyama), the shoplifter becomes the girl's sexual partner-and virtual slave. The film is rife with erotic symbolism that will be lost on no one. Originally titled Shinjuku Dorobo Nikki, Diary of a Shinjuku Thief is director Nagisa Oshima's homage to controversial French author (and unregenerate thief) Jean Genet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The film centers around Birdie, a young, Japanese book thief who soon is caught by a woman named Umeko. As they become young lovers, the two begin stealing books together.
Film details
The film, which starts out in black and white, turns into a fiasco of color, music, sex, and surrealism.
Also featured in this film is Kara Jūrō who sings a song on a guitar which perfectly suits the film. As the film climaxes we are transported from a rough life of crime to odd world of such oddities as Birdie chasing Umeko with a dildo, only to conclude with her being raped and him being beaten by the offenders.
