Manon

Manon is a 1981 Japanese drama film directed by Yōichi Higashi and co-written by Higashi with Akiko Tanaka. The film is based on the 18th century French novel Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost. It tells the story of Mitsuko, a trainee at a theater company who is sexually involved with two different men: one a wealthy loan shark, the other a penniless college student. The film stars Setsuko Karasuma in the lead role, in addition to Masahiko Tsugawa, Kōichi Satō, Takeshi Kitano and Hiroko Isayama. Ichiro Araki composed the film's score, in addition to playing the role of Yoshino. Its theme song is "Don't Wait for the Big Bird" by the Japanese rock band Tensaw. Manon was theatrically released by Toho-Towa on September 26, 1981, in Japan.