His 1961 film, "Pigs and Battleships" was a wild and energetic story about the U.S. military base at Yokosuka and its relationship with lower elements of Japanese society. The film was released at a very delicate time in U.S.-Japan relations, in the immediate aftermath of the massive 1960 Anpo protests in Japan against the U.S-Japan Security Treaty (known as "Anpo" in Japanese), and widespread outrage that the new treaty meant the continuation of U.S. military bases on Japanese soil. Shocked by the film and what they perceived as its anti-American sentiments, Nikkatsu did not allow Imamura another project for two years. His next films, 1963's "The Insect Woman" and 1964's "Unholy Desire" showed no toning down of his style. With these three films, Imamura had established himself as a director with a strong and unique vision, and one of the leading figures of the Japanese New Wave.