Good-for-Nothing

Plot

Yoshida's first feature follows the lives of young students against a background of jazz, emptiness and boredom. The plot is fairly simple: a "good-for-nothing" from a poor background falls in love with the young secretary of his rich friend's father. The woman senses good in him and tries to lead him on the right path.

Why watch

A young man, burdened by the weight of his impoverished background, finds himself drawn to the secretary of his affluent friend’s father. As their worlds collide, the film captures the fleeting moments of connection amidst a backdrop of urban ennui and jazz rhythms. Watching it feels like wandering through a dreamscape of lost opportunities and unfulfilled desires, where every glance and gesture carries the weight of unspoken longing.

Talking points

• the impact of socioeconomic status on personal choices
• the role of music in shaping identity
• the search for meaning in a disenchanted world
• the complexities of young love

Cultural context

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