BLACK BOX DIARIES
A film by Shiori Ito
2024, 103 minutes
2024, 103 minutes
No. 453
Documentary
Documentary
Description
In 2017, Japanese journalist Shiori Itō publicly accused a prominent media executive (and associate of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe) of rape, and published a bestselling memoir detailing her case — Black Box, a book credited with sparking the #MeToo movement in Japan.
Black Box Diaries is a survivor’s real-time investigation of her own sexual assault — and includes raw video diaries (shot on Itō’s iPhone), surreptitious audio recordings of police negligence, and vérité courtroom footage. Itō documents her courageous struggle to navigate Japan’s patriarchal judiciary and antiquated sex crimes laws (proven lack of consent was insufficient) and quest for justice.
Black Box Diaries is a survivor’s real-time investigation of her own sexual assault — and includes raw video diaries (shot on Itō’s iPhone), surreptitious audio recordings of police negligence, and vérité courtroom footage. Itō documents her courageous struggle to navigate Japan’s patriarchal judiciary and antiquated sex crimes laws (proven lack of consent was insufficient) and quest for justice.
Festivals
Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival
Official Selection, SXSW
Official Selection, CPH:DOX
Official Selection, Hot Docs
Reviews
“A stunning, effective tale of reclaiming victimhood…Itō shows us all that it is possible to survive something that feels insurmountable, and we should be grateful for her towering example." - Lex Briscuso, The Wrap
“A pulverizing illustration of truth and its consequences…[an] appealing and very-now mix of forensic journalism with the high-and-lows of instant iPhone reactions and emotions…One of the discoveries of this year’s Sundance Film Festival.” - Fionnuala Halligan, Screen
“Courageously candid. The film is remarkable” - Variety
“A pulverizing illustration of truth and its consequences…[an] appealing and very-now mix of forensic journalism with the high-and-lows of instant iPhone reactions and emotions…One of the discoveries of this year’s Sundance Film Festival.” - Fionnuala Halligan, Screen
“One of the best documentaries you’ll see all year" - Rolling Stone
“[A] genuinely empowering film but also absolutely clear-eyed about the challenges that remain for women in Japan." - Financial Times
“[A] genuinely empowering film but also absolutely clear-eyed about the challenges that remain for women in Japan." - Financial Times
“Courageously candid. The film is remarkable” - Variety
