Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire

Synopsis

An All About Eve take on the glamorous world of striptease dancers striving for professional perfection, Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire is the first of director Tatsumi Kumashiro’s films for Nikkatsu’s so-called Roman Porn series. Set in a variety theater in the center of Osaka, a young strip-tease artist, Harumi (Hiroko Isayama), has had enough of the lesbian act she performs with Mari, and is eager to start up her own joint. Unfortunately, her yakuza pimp, Isamu, will do anything to stop her. Later, the police charge her for “obscene exhibitionism” in a show she performs with famed real life Japanese strip queen Sayuri Ichijo. Considered a masterpiece of Pink Cinema, Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire is the film for which Isayama won the Best Actress of the year award from the prestigious Japanese film journal Kinema Jumpo.