The Insect Woman (1963, Japanese)

The Insect Woman is the earliest of Shohei Imamura's films I've seen to date. Like many of his later films, it deals with themes of sexual transgression, female agency, rural poverty, and society in post-war Japan. The protagonist is Tome, a village girl whose relationship with sex guides the course of her life from girlhood to middle age. Imamura starkly points out how little choice women of Tome's class and era have as to how to live their lives. It's a pretty bleak picture, as we watch Tome's personality turn bitter in response to her harsh environment, but it's bolstered by Imamura's trademark black humor and stylistic innovation.

NOTE - For anyone in Chicago interested in Imamura, the Siskel Center has just begun a 2-month retrospective. January showcases his earliest work, and February his more well-known films. I would highly recommend The Ballad of Narayama, The Eel and Warm Water Under a Red Bridge. Narayama and Red Bridge are particular favorites of mine.