I was excited to see a film on this topic had been released. Even though I avoid identity related stuff because most times you're forced to take sides with the respective "minority group "for better or worse, I thought I'd give it a chance because why not.
It was high time we had a film like this that would help dispel any misunderstandings derived from the typical "you won't ever assimilate into Japanese society" comments you read everywhere. Also, it's always interesting when you are offered a local view on a country's phenomenon or issue.
Who but biracial individuals would be able to answer all of our questions, right?
Unfortunately that just didn't happen. And the reason behind this documentary's failure is its approach. Even though we are covered when it comes to the film presenting people from different backgrounds, you don't see a cohesive narrative that ties their experiences together. Because to start with that is almost impossible to accomplish.
If everyone of them is a unique human being, regardless of the fact that they are "half" Japanese, why do we get to see such a poor depiction of their lives? If "Japan is changing" as the film claims, why not take advantage of this opportunity to show this group of people leading normal lives in this country? Why the atmosphere of this film is so uncannily tense? Is it possible that this film was not meant to be biographical?
Besides this, the lack of interaction between "them" and the "locals" is so ridiculously scarce that it doesn't make this film look human at all. It is difficult to understand also why the biracial group is never pictured having an in-depth discussion with each other at any moment. The film then loses the opportunity of holding water and bringing about a cathartic moment or scene where
at least a couple of them compare their experiences in a dialectical and natural way.
One-sideness should not prevail on a production of this sort. Otherwise this was a good effort and the camera work is also good.