As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!
×
Did you know that Blu-ray.com also is available for United Kingdom? Simply select the
flag icon to the right of the quick search at the top-middle.
[hide this message]
Queer Japan Blu-ray delivers great video and reference-quality audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Trailblazing LGBTQ artists, activists and everyday people defy social norms in contemporary Japan.
For more about Queer Japan and the Queer Japan Blu-ray release, see Queer Japan Blu-ray Review published by Brian Orndorf on April 4, 2021 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Director Graham Kolbeins finds an interesting subject matter for his documentary, "Queer Japan." He travels to the country to explore its burgeoning
LGBTQ+ culture, getting past the image of a reserved, conservative Japan to detail the inner workings of what many hope is something of a
revolution, offering an equal presence for all. Kolbeins captures the lives of those who crave the same ideal, exploring artists, politicians, and activists
as they attempt to be seen in their own special ways. "Queer Japan" offers numerous interviews with a wide range of people, offering a heartfelt
understanding of need and representation, with Kolbeins working to identify what makes these individuals and gatherings so special, offering exposure
to subcultures previously concealed.
"Queer Japan" doesn't remain with a single personality for very long, moving rapidly around interviewees, with the production working hard to fit
every aspect of LGBTQ+ life into the documentary. This approach results in overlength, but Kolbeins is passionate about the subject, traveling around
Japan to interview those who've struggled with sexual and gender issues. These are stories of identity but also creativity, finding its most inspired
participant in artist Gengoroh Tagame, who's a master of erotic imagery, laboring to bring detailed examinations of surrealism and sensuality to his
fanbase, which has steadily developed over the last two decades. "Queer Japan" spends time with performance, visiting fetish and gay clubs to
capture personal expression, and it studies more intimate tales of oppression and frustration, including Aya Kamikawa, a transgender politician
working to combat rising bigotry from conservative parties. There's humor to the documentary, but the helmer maintains a serious exploration of
need, winding through various facets of life in Japan, which is populated with colorful citizens working to express themselves without fear of
condemnation.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Queer Japan" deals with the feature that was captured with commercial grade cameras,
creating a clean look for the movie. Technical limitations are inherent to the source. Some mild artifacting is found at times. Clarity is satisfactory,
capturing a wide range of facial surfaces and hairstyles, while makeup designs are sharply defined. Clothing is crisp, finding the wild outfits contributing
all sorts of textures, with vinyl and rubbery creations most compelling. Colors are lively, with rainbow imagery potent, while deeper hues for club
lighting register as intended. Greenery is exact. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix manages interview audio acceptably, though the production often struggles with background noise and equipment
limitations. Conversations are intelligible and emotional at times, capturing vocal nuance. Soundtrack selections are amplified, adding some heavier
beats for electropop offerings.
"The House of Gay Art" (4:37, HD) is a short film directed by Graham Kolbeins, following artist Gengoroh Tagme and writer
Anne Ishii as they pay a visit to a specialized museum in suburban Japan, meeting curator Masahiro Ogizaki.
Bonus Scenes (HD) include "Queer Parenting in Kobe," "Shinjuku Ni-Chome Tour with Vivienne Sato," and "Tomato at
Heaven's Door." The latter is especially interesting, with the subject detailing her love of Queen, responding to the rock god-ery of Freddie Mercury
during the band's late-'70s popularity.
The documentary also surveys the work of activists, highlighting those trying to prevent the spread of HIV, looking to provide health education in a
country where feelings of shame are a real challenge. "Queer Japan" also visits a gay pride parade where acceptance is the overall theme, but a few
interviewees share their personal fears that nothing is changing, while corporate interests are growing, co-opting the message to make money. There
are provocative ideas floating around the feature, mixed with vibrant personalities and displays of artistic gifts. "Queer Japan" is looking to expose lives
often lived in the shadows, and it does so with feeling, giving the subjects time to share their histories, with Kolbeins capturing distinctly human
experiences from refreshing perspectives.
Use the thumbs up and thumbs down icons to agree or disagree that the title is similar to Queer Japan. You can also suggest completely new similar titles to Queer Japan in the search box below.
All countries
Argentina
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
China
Colombia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Estonia
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
New Zealand
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
flag icon to the right of the quick search at the top-middle.
[hide this message]
Use the thumbs up and thumbs down icons to agree or disagree that the title is similar to Queer Japan. You can also suggest completely new similar titles to Queer Japan in the search box below.
