His list of New Wave traits is very functional. The heroine, Eva Hedy Kiesler , gets married to a dull and self-centred older man who treats her as little more than a material acquisition, neglecting her both personally and sexually. Toru, a quiet and withdrawn university student in Tokyo, reunites with his former schoolmate, the fragile Naoko. The chapters are organised into six geographic subdivisions and also in more or less chronological order, so as to trace lines of influence where they exist. Contrary to the legend that explains on-location shooting by its supposed lower cost, such filming often cost a great deal more than work in the more easily controlled studios; in the streets it was never possible to predict lighting, weather and the unforeseen occurrence of money-wasting disturbances.
nest...