“Kamikaze Girls” (2004) is a film adaptation of the novel and manga “Shimotsuma Story” directed by Tetsuya Nakashima. It’s about the unlikely friendship between girls of vastly different subcultures; one a “Lolita” obsessed by Rococco-era French fashions and the other a member of a “Yanki” biker gang modeled after 1950’s American rock and rollers. Besides the underlying theme of friendship transcending cultural differences, it’s also a coming-of-age story with a positive message about the importance of pursuing one’s dreams, rejecting conformity, and thinking/acting independently. Similar to Nakashima’s other films such as “Memories of Matsuko” and “Paco and the Magical Book” (as well as Jeunet’s “Amélie”) the viewing experience of Kamikaze Girls is enhanced by surrealistic touches such as over-saturated colors and inventive camera/editing work.

Update: no longer on YouTube but still available with subtitles here.