Bastoni: The Stick Handlers

One of the few films ever made about the porn industry to depict its denizens with an honest, humane tenderness — rather than as simplified fodder for cheap laughs or sensationalized moralizing — Bastoni: Stick Handlers stands as one of the most pleasant surprises to emerge from the Japanese film world in recent memory.

Director Kazuhiko Nakamura has created a feature debut which is often absurdly funny and truly tragic within the same moments. The film explores the unique choices made by its characters and illuminates the confusing impact that sexuality has on all of our lives. And the movie's also really dirty, too. Yamaguchi (Shunsuke Matsuoka) is a popular actor in the Adult Video (AV) industry, married to another porn star, the sweet Natsuki (Yuka Kojima), who is retiring from the field to deliver their first child. Yamaguchi's earlier relationship with Miyuki (Amiko Kanetani) ended when she learned of his then-new career in the sex industry, yet he has often regretted losing her. Miyuki becomes determined to make her ex-boyfriend see the error of his career choice — so she enters the AV world herself, and befriends her ex's pregnant new bride.

Director Nakamura has worked as an assistant director in Japan's adult video industry for the past decade and the film benefits greatly from Nakamura's insider take on the subject matter. The result is a refreshingly intelligent and perceptive examination of the industry, with moments that manage to be comical, sad, and erotic (the sight of older AV performer Matsunaga sobbing hysterically and eating dinner following the abandonment of his family is unforgettable). (Japanese with English subtitles)

Travis Crawford