Shiori Ito‘s BLACK BOX DIARIES begins with a warning. It is Ito explaining how to handle what is going to be some inevitable triggers for some viewers. There is genuine love and caring radiating from this that helps make the difficult times that follow easier to take.
The film is Ito charting the course of her decision to go public with the fact that she was raped by the head of a Japanese media company. Because there was “ no evidence” (the man was connected to the Prime Minister), the Japanese police wouldn’t pursue charges. Ito decides to go public and it opens up all sorts of doors, including a discussion to the antiquated notions of rape and male female relationships (the age of consent is 13 and until recently kiddie porn was legal). The film also shows the course of her case and the cost to her (she had to move out of her apartment to be safe)
This is a tough film. A slowly building tale, BLACK BOX DIARIES quietly lays out its tale and then punches you in the face with some of the turns. It’s a film that sneaks up on you and makes you gasp. I thought I was prepared for this tale, and apparently I was not so even I found the opening suggestion of how to handle the story helpful.
This film is amazing. It’s a gut punch of a film that lays bare sexual violence not only in Japan but elsewhere – many men have a shitty attitude toward women.
This is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen in 2024 and one of the best on sexual violence.
Highly recommended, just be aware that this is tough film
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