Shinjuku Boys
United Kingdom1995documentary53'Kim Longinotto Retrospective
Tokyo’s night club, New Marilyn, is popular among women who enjoy the company of transmen or trans male nonbinary persons who, in Japan, are referred to as onabe or, increasingly more often nowadays, FTM (female-to-male). We get to know three such persons, who are trying to reconcile their work with private lives. The story of a boy from Shinjuku offers a close encounter with gender diversity in a conservative country. For their female partners or fans, the protagonists are the embodiment of desired masculinity, also in the macho version. But flirts with clients are not conducive to stable relationships and being an FTM stands in conflict with the traditional division of roles.
Partner
- directed by
- Kim Longinotto
A British documentary film director and cinematographer. She earned her degree in cinematography and film directing from the National Film and Television School. She made her debut in 1976 with the film 'Pride of Place'. She is renowned for her intimate, observational style and focus on women’s lives across cultures. Her critically acclaimed films, such as 'Sisters in Law' (2005), 'Divorce Iranian Style' (1998), and 'Pink Saris' (2010), explore themes of justice, gender, and human rights. Longinotto’s work is characterised by minimal narration and a strong ethical approach, allowing her protagonists to speak for themselves. She has received numerous international awards and is widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary documentary filmmakers.
Jano Williams
- Photo
