I saw this film on British TV in around 1989-1991 (most likely BBC2 or Channel4) and since then I have had no luck in getting even close to identifying which movie it could be. To the point where I am starting to wonder if I dreamed it, or if it was actually a TV show (however, I think not).
I think the film is European - maybe Spanish, Italian or French, but could also South American. It’s not English. I think it is probably early to mid 1980s, but could be 70s, and a slim chance it is early 90s.
A woman moves to a new place to escape her past. I’m not sure why, but I think it is to escape her abusive ex-partner. This Ex manages to track her down. She realises he has found her before she even sees him because she hears these three Chinese metal balls (magic balls?) that he rolls around in his hand all the time. Evidently, it’s his thing. Although it scares her, it also makes her reminisce about their slightly sado-masochistic sexlife, which she cleatly still yearns for.
This might be a bit of obscure euro-sleaze, however it was odd that it was shown on mainstream British TV, which makes me think that at least one other person must have seen this thing!
Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you google these details the main result is my previous post on Reddit!