Heavily awarded in Japan, including Picture of the Year at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize, Midnight Swan is an intimate and often heartbreaking look at the life of a transgender woman in modern day Japan. Directed by Eiji Uchida, the film tells the story of a person in transition with great care, offering us a glimpse into the highs and lows.
Nagisa (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) lives in Tokyo and performs as a dancer in a nightclub finding a community of other transgender women with whom she can bond and relate. She has a middle school-aged niece, Ichika (Misaki Hattori), who is neglected by her mother. After being kicked out of her home in Hiroshima, Ichika moves to Tokyo to live with Nagisa and discovers a love for ballet. Initially, Nagisa is resentful of Ichika's intrusion into her life, but as time progresses, her reluctance develops into a strong maternal love for Ichika.
Midnight Swan has been rightfully commended for tackling a "taboo" issue in Japanese culture — a country well known for strict adherence to tradition, as well as its rebellious youth culture. (However, there hasn't been much controversy over the decision to cast Tsyoshi Kusanagi, a cis man, as Nagisa.) Through the film, Uchida explores the prejudice and fear many have towards transgender individuals, while also providing a glimpse into the internal and external struggles they experience. There are some raw scenes of violence and abuse, as well as moments of laughter and joy when Nagisa is among like-minded individuals, creating a well-rounded film.
Kusanagi, a former J-Pop star and member of the iconic SMAP, shoulders the weight of Midnight Swan. His performance as Nagisa, while at times bordering on scene-chewy, is visceral and balanced. For every loud moment of angst, he provides a gentle softness, delivering a character rich in depth.
While Kusanagi is the main focus of Midnight Swan, the heart of the film lies with Hattori. Given this is her debut acting role, she plays Ichika with a surprising amount of complexity. Hattori's portrayal is a good blend of the innocence of adolescence with a young woman who has experienced far more turmoil than her years should allow.
Through Ichika, Uchida adds an extra dimension to the film. He explores not only what it means to be a transgender woman in a conservative culture, but also the new challenges of the younger generation. Uchida adds commentary about the dangers of social media and openness in sexuality that doesn't feel forced or tacked on — quite a feat given the film's long runtime.
Uchida packs a lot of drama and commentary into Midnight Swan while also making time for cinematic sequences. He uses the vivid neon lights of Tokyo to create a dream-like state to show either a longing for better times or an enjoyment of the present. Uchida also emphasizes the fluidity and beauty of ballet, dynamically capturing the movements of Ichika during her final big performance.
Midnight Swan is a celebration of individualism through a cautionary tale of the agony of ostracization. The film isn't afraid to condemn backwards thinking and its effects, and will hopefully contribute to a change in culture.
The Toronto Japanese Film Festival runs from June 16 to 30. Details and tickets can be found at the festival's website.
(Kino)Nagisa (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi) lives in Tokyo and performs as a dancer in a nightclub finding a community of other transgender women with whom she can bond and relate. She has a middle school-aged niece, Ichika (Misaki Hattori), who is neglected by her mother. After being kicked out of her home in Hiroshima, Ichika moves to Tokyo to live with Nagisa and discovers a love for ballet. Initially, Nagisa is resentful of Ichika's intrusion into her life, but as time progresses, her reluctance develops into a strong maternal love for Ichika.
Midnight Swan has been rightfully commended for tackling a "taboo" issue in Japanese culture — a country well known for strict adherence to tradition, as well as its rebellious youth culture. (However, there hasn't been much controversy over the decision to cast Tsyoshi Kusanagi, a cis man, as Nagisa.) Through the film, Uchida explores the prejudice and fear many have towards transgender individuals, while also providing a glimpse into the internal and external struggles they experience. There are some raw scenes of violence and abuse, as well as moments of laughter and joy when Nagisa is among like-minded individuals, creating a well-rounded film.
Kusanagi, a former J-Pop star and member of the iconic SMAP, shoulders the weight of Midnight Swan. His performance as Nagisa, while at times bordering on scene-chewy, is visceral and balanced. For every loud moment of angst, he provides a gentle softness, delivering a character rich in depth.
While Kusanagi is the main focus of Midnight Swan, the heart of the film lies with Hattori. Given this is her debut acting role, she plays Ichika with a surprising amount of complexity. Hattori's portrayal is a good blend of the innocence of adolescence with a young woman who has experienced far more turmoil than her years should allow.
Through Ichika, Uchida adds an extra dimension to the film. He explores not only what it means to be a transgender woman in a conservative culture, but also the new challenges of the younger generation. Uchida adds commentary about the dangers of social media and openness in sexuality that doesn't feel forced or tacked on — quite a feat given the film's long runtime.
Uchida packs a lot of drama and commentary into Midnight Swan while also making time for cinematic sequences. He uses the vivid neon lights of Tokyo to create a dream-like state to show either a longing for better times or an enjoyment of the present. Uchida also emphasizes the fluidity and beauty of ballet, dynamically capturing the movements of Ichika during her final big performance.
Midnight Swan is a celebration of individualism through a cautionary tale of the agony of ostracization. The film isn't afraid to condemn backwards thinking and its effects, and will hopefully contribute to a change in culture.
The Toronto Japanese Film Festival runs from June 16 to 30. Details and tickets can be found at the festival's website.