A Japanese #MeToo campaigner’s documentary premiered in her homeland on Friday after months of delays, with one audience member saying she hoped it triggered a change in society.
Shiori Ito won a landmark 2019 civil case against a Japanese TV reporter accused of raping her – a charge he denies – and turned her ordeal into a film released last year and screened worldwide.
But some segments of Black Box Diaries contained video and audio that had been clandestinely shot or meant only for use in court, resulting in its Japan release being significantly delayed.
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Publicist Toei Advertising announced last month the Oscar-nominated film would finally be shown in Japan after “revisions and adjustments” had been made.
“I’ve spent the last 10 years making this film thinking it was going to be a love letter to Japan,” Ito told a screening event at a Tokyo cinema on Friday.
“It means a lot to me that this film was released in Japan, where I grew up and where I want people to face this issue,” she said.