Akihiko Shiota′s Moonlight Whispers is about the sado-masochistic relationship between two high school students, and was one of the most impressive debut films in 1999. This time the director tells us a story about a girl who has a hard time adjusting to society. The main character′s name is Sachiko. Her father abandoned her and her mother, who now works as a bar hostess. Furthermore, the rumor about an affair between her and her sixth-grade teacher, Ogata, continues to torment her. Judging by her appearance, she may seem like just an ordinary girl. However, she is different from other girls in that she has no desire for life. Yet, sometimes she, too, dreams. However, incidents such as an assault by her mother′s ex-lover become just more grist for the gossip mill of heartless kids. As if to fulfill her destiny, Sachiko starts to hang around with hoodlums. The downfall of this girl recalls the famous title from a novel by Kafka, and the camera seems as impassive as Kafka′s perplexed hero. Feelings of isolation and desolation abound. The last scene, in which Sachiko drives off with a stranger, is especially memorable. Shiota′s film is filled with burning emotions, captured in a remote and cool manner. (Kwon Yong-Min)