As "The Contestant" (2023 release from Japan; 90 min) opens, we are introduced to a young Japanese comedian and actor, later nicknamed Nasubi ("Eggplant"), and it is the late 90s. Desperate to get away from Fukushima, he tries his luck in Tokyo, and before we know it, he is entering a wild TV reality show, where he is isolated in a small room and without clothes. He must enter various product sweepstakes to earn food and shelter... At this point we are 10 minutes into the documentary.
Couple of comments: as always we need to make a distinction between the subject matter of this film on the on hand, and whether this documentary is any good. As to the former, this borders on psychological bullying, if not worse, and all in the name of attracting higher ratings. Japanese TV has a reputation over pushing the edges, but in my humble opinion, this goes far beyond that. For shame. As to the documentary itself, this is well done, and carefully brought onto the screen. I will admit that I had a hard time watching this. The film makers talk to the main people involved with these events now a quarter century later. The TV producer of this reality show seems to have no, or very little, regrets. As for Nasubi: just watch!
"The Contestant" premiered at last Fall's Toronto International Film Festival to great acclaim. It is currently rated 94% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels very generous to me. It is currently streaming on Hulu, where I caught it the other night. If you are in the mood for a documentary about a bizarre reality TV show in Japan from the late 90s, I'd recommend you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: as always we need to make a distinction between the subject matter of this film on the on hand, and whether this documentary is any good. As to the former, this borders on psychological bullying, if not worse, and all in the name of attracting higher ratings. Japanese TV has a reputation over pushing the edges, but in my humble opinion, this goes far beyond that. For shame. As to the documentary itself, this is well done, and carefully brought onto the screen. I will admit that I had a hard time watching this. The film makers talk to the main people involved with these events now a quarter century later. The TV producer of this reality show seems to have no, or very little, regrets. As for Nasubi: just watch!
"The Contestant" premiered at last Fall's Toronto International Film Festival to great acclaim. It is currently rated 94% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels very generous to me. It is currently streaming on Hulu, where I caught it the other night. If you are in the mood for a documentary about a bizarre reality TV show in Japan from the late 90s, I'd recommend you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
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