_Platonic Sex_ viewership/opinions

[Mark Mays]

I think for answers to your socio-political questions you might investigate
the success of the book rather than the film. I think if any film intends to
be "cautionary" and shows a girl going from rape victim to porn star to
tarento and best selling author it probably has failed in that effort. I
don't think that she really intended it to be a cautionary tale however.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <tim.iles at utoronto.ca>
To: "KineJapan" <KineJapan at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 4:41 PM
Subject: _Platonic Sex_ viewership/opinions


> Any figures for how the cinematic adaptation of Iijima Ai's _Platonic sex_
> did in theatrical release? The film isn't bad, in fact (well, its
> cinematography is quite standard, its performances are acceptable but
> certainly not inspired, the writing is good, pacing adequate)--and based
> purely on its availability on region-free DVD in Vancouver's Chinatown
> (where relatively few non-anime Japanese films can be found) it has a
> degree of international success. I've heard anecdotally that it did well
> in Japan, but I'd like some "real" figures. Also, any info about the
> 4-hour drama? What sort of demographics did it have?
>
> And now the opinion bit--is the success of this film/memoir indicative of
> an "empowerment" of young women? Is it only about alienation and the angst
> of modern life? As a cautionary tale, is it in fact successful?
>
> Just wondering about your thoughts (especially after that _long_ thread
> about whether or not Japan produces decent films these days! ^_^)
>
>
> Tim Iles
> Department of Pacific and asian Studies
> University of Victoria
>