 One of the few films to offer a refreshingly intelligent look into the adult video (AV) industry, Bastoni: The Stick Handlers is absurdly funny, quietly tragic, and very revealing. Husband and wife Yamaguchi and Natsuki are young, attractive stars in Japanese adult films. When Natsuki retires to have a baby, Yamaguchi is surprised to learn that his ex-girlfriend Miyuki has befriended his pregnant wife. Miyuki left Yamaguchi when he first started appearing in adult films, and now she s back to show them what poor lifestyle choices they ve made. Formerly an assistant in the AV industry, first-time director Kazuiko Nakamura has created a wry comedy that probes the impact sexuality has on all our lives.