Secrets behind the Wall

One of the earlier Wakamatsus. It's a fun film for people who want to get a better idea of how his career evolved. It's easy to identify the elements that would grow out to be a part of Wakamatsu's signature, but as a result, you're getting some kind of clear, more watered-down version of what makes his work so interesting.

As the title suggests, Wakamatsu peers behind the walls of an apartment building. The people living there are struggling, Wakamatsu zooms in on a few of them. A young woman seeks companionship, a young boy wants to experience love for the first time, and a former activist is now benefitting from the Vietnam War.

The black-and-white cinematography isn't quite as impressive yet, the score feels a little too tentative and the first hour is a bit slow. The film gets better as it nears the finale, but it's a case of too little, too late. It's still an interesting watch, more so when you're familiar with Wakamatsu's later work, but it's hardly an essential addition to his oeuvre.