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Love Exposure
愛のむきだし
2008 237 min Japan 18+
★8.1
Action, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Director: Sion Sono
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
The story of a teenage boy called Yu, who falls for Yoko, a girl he runs into while working as an upskirt photographer in an offshoot of the porn industry. His attempts to woo her are complicated by a spot of cross-dressing – which convinces Yoko that she is lesbian – dalliances with kung-fu and crime, and a constant struggle with Catholic guilt.
Starring
Takahiro Nishijima
Actor
Hikari Mitsushima
Actor
Sakura Andô
Actor
Awards
Berlin International Film Festival 2009
— Caligari Award
Berlin International Film Festival 2009
— FIPRESCI Prize – Forum
Berlin International Film Festival 2009
— FIPRESCI Prize – Competition
Berlin International Film Festival 2009
— FIPRESCI Prize – Competition
Key opinion
Love Exposure is a sprawling, four-hour genre-bending epic that masterfully fuses religious exploration with eccentric comedy and visceral action. While its extreme length and provocative, grotesque stylistic choices may alienate some viewers, it is widely considered a unique and emotionally resonant cinematic experience.
| Originality | The film effectively weaves disparate genres—ranging from kung-fu action and slapstick comedy to deep religious philosophy—into a cohesive narrative structure. | |
| Direction | The director skillfully channels diverse artistic influences, from classic Japanese naturalism to European arthouse symbolism, to create a distinct visual language. | |
| Score | The soundtrack, featuring classical music like Ravel’s Boléro, creates a powerful juxtaposition against the film's scenes of violent, erotic, and religious obsession. | |
| Runtime | The four-hour runtime is a polarizing element; for some, it provides a necessary, meditative space for character transformation, while others find the sheer length and intensity exhausting. |