Love Exposure is a Japanese film directed by Sion Sono and was released in 2008. It follows the story of a teenage boy named Yu Honda (played by Takahiro Nishijima) who is raised by his widowed father, a Catholic priest. Yu is raised with the belief that sinning is equivalent to a betrayal of God and as a result, tries to commit sins on purpose. He discovers a group of men who specialize in taking pictures up women's skirts and eventually joins their ranks.
While on the job, Yu crosses paths with Yoko (played by Hikari Mitsushima), the daughter of a cult leader. Yu becomes fixated on Yoko and decides to pursue her, but to do so he must first become a master of Kung-Fu and dress like a woman. Yu's cross-dressing persona, Miss Scorpion, not only entices Yoko, but also her best friend Koike (played by Sakura Ando), who is also struggling with her sexuality.
As Yu continues to deceive Yoko, he also finds himself drawn into a life of crime, as his skills in Kung-Fu make him a valuable asset to a local gang. Throughout the film, Yu must grapple with his Catholic guilt, his growing feelings for Yoko, and the consequences of his actions.
Love Exposure is a four-hour epic and has been praised for its unique narrative structure, blending elements of comedy, drama, romance, and action. The film explores themes of sexuality, identity, spirituality, and family ties, while also commenting on contemporary Japanese culture and societal expectations. It received critical acclaim and many awards, including the FIPRESCI Prize at the 2009 Vienna International Film Festival, and is considered one of Sono's most notable works.
