_Platonic Sex_ viewership/opinions

[tim.iles@utoronto.ca]

Quite true... Even if it were a case of "do as I say not as I do" it
wouldn't really hold true. The book has done extremely well in Japan, but
also in Taiwan, becoming a huge bestseller. I haven't read the book, so I
can't speak about its style or openness--but what explains its success? Is
it the frankness with which she presents her story? Or the fascination
with confessional literature that has existed in Japan since at least
Tokugawa times? I realise this isn't the proper forum to discuss a written
work, but I'd be interested in hearing about the readership demographics
of the novel, too.

Best,


Tim Iles


On Mon, 23 Feb 2004, Mark Mays wrote:

> 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
> >
> 
>