Queer Japan

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2:28

Queer Japan

2020

1h 39m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Trailblazing artists, activists, and everyday people from across the spectrum of gender and sexuality defy social norms and dare to shine in this kaleidoscopic view of LGBTQ+ culture in contemporary Japan. From glossy pride parades to playfully perverse underground parties, Queer Japan pictures people living brazenly unconventional lives in the sunlight, the shadows, and everywhere in between. Dazzling, iconoclastic drag queen Vivienne Sato peels back the layers of language and identity. Maverick manga artist Gengoroh Tagame tours the world with his unapologetically erotic gay comics. Councilwoman Aya Kamikawa recounts her rocky path to becoming the first transgender elected official in Japan. At legendary kink-positive hentai party Department H, non-binary performance artist Saeborg uses rubber to create a second skin. Culled from 100+ interviews conducted over 3 years in locations across Japan, Queer Japan features dozens of individuals sharing their experiences in their own words. Get to know a vibrant and inspiring group of human beings in a country with a unique history of queer expression.

Cody Corrall

Chicago Reader

Dec 14, 2020

Featuring a wide array of interviews from kinksters, club owners, drag artists, and politicians -- Graham Kolbeins paints an electric and multifaceted portrait of queer culture in contemporary Japan.

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

Dec 11, 2020

There's a lot to see and to think about here, all well-curated by a documentarian with a clear passion for his subject.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Dec 11, 2020

3/4

Weaving something like 100 interviews into the narrative, director Graham Kolbeins paints with broad strokes, revealing a portrait of identity, labels and culture that's pretty dang enthralling.

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Jason Shawhan

Nashville Scene

Sep 9, 2021

But Kolbeins makes it all fit effortlessly and sensibly, finding space for all the voices in a way that lets the film work as a discussion rather than a lecture. A remarkable documentary.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Sep 6, 2021

B

Looking to expose lives often lived in the shadows, and it does so with feeling, giving the subjects time to share their histories, with Kolbeins capturing distinctly human experiences from refreshing perspectives.

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Hagan Osborne

FILMINK (Australia)

Apr 1, 2021

13/20

...smashes through some glass ceilings with its celebration of fringe queer culture; digging deep to offer insight into societal attitudes and politics.

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Apr 21, 2021

"It's considered "good" when we're all facing the same direction, but in reality, we can only function when every single one of us has meaning." I learned a lot from this movie; so many interesting people, and as many interesting ideas to ponder. This film is a testament of the power of diversity. What an incredible journey!

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Graham Kolbeins

Director

Graham Kolbeins

Writer

Anne Ishii

Writer

Hiromi Iida

Producer

Graham Kolbeins

Cinematographer

John Roney

Cinematographer

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Synopsis

Trailblazing artists, activists, and everyday people from across the spectrum of gender and sexuality defy social norms and dare to shine in this kaleidoscopic view of LGBTQ+ culture in contemporary Japan. From glossy pride parades to playfully perverse underground parties, Queer Japan pictures people living brazenly unconventional lives in the sunlight, the shadows, and everywhere in between. Dazzling, iconoclastic drag queen Vivienne Sato peels back the layers of language and identity. Maverick manga artist Gengoroh Tagame tours the world with his unapologetically erotic gay comics. Councilwoman Aya Kamikawa recounts her rocky path to becoming the first transgender elected official in Japan. At legendary kink-positive hentai party Department H, non-binary performance artist Saeborg uses rubber to create a second skin. Culled from 100+ interviews conducted over 3 years in locations across Japan, Queer Japan features dozens of individuals sharing their experiences in their own words. Get to know a vibrant and inspiring group of human beings in a country with a unique history of queer expression.

Director: Graham Kolbeins
Producer: Hiromi Iida
Screenwriter: Graham Kolbeins, Anne Ishii
Distributor: Altered Innocence
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 11, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 10, 2020
Runtime: 1h 39m

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