Platonic Sex

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 17 Jul 2005, 23:00

Cas Harlow's review here

Platonic Sex is a harrowing tale of the survival on the streets. Even if it is never a particularly pleasant watch, it manages to remain compelling to the end, not least because of a fantastic debut performance by the lovely Saki Kagami. With an average transfer and a solid audio track, along with a few extras to boot, it is well worth giving a look to if you fancy a slightly more serious Asian offering to watch. But be warned, it is a harsh ride.

Mordib · Post by **Mordib** » 18 Jul 2005, 06:54

to quote you.... theres no nudity in this film. this brings up two interesting (to me anyway

) thoughts-

1. willl the people releasing it make an effort to highlight this fact or will they content themselves with lots of money off the pervert class who will probably slate it?

2. how well does this film do at portraying its purpose? I mean, after the 9 songs debacle I was wondering if this film might prove to be a good example about how you can make a film based around sex without showing any explicit sex at all and still get your message accross?

m.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 18 Jul 2005, 09:48

To be honest, I think the director made this film solely for the people of Japan. The Japanaese know who the central character is (Ai Iijima) and they are also aware of her auto biography, Platonic Sex.

Ai Iijima is a now a recognised celebrity in Japan. She was a big name in the Adult Video industry as well but quit to pursue other projects. I believe she writes and does TV work now or something.

So if the average Japanese were to see "Platonic Sex" DVD in the shop, they would have a good idea at its content - a film about life in the Adult Video industry that is not perverse or voyeristic. Even my flatmate's Japanese girlfriend (who is so uptight about sex in movies, or even talking/joking about it) watched the film with us because she was curious to see how much of a role model Ai Iijima is to modern Japanese women.

Now to sell this movie abroad is another matter. I'm pretty sure if anyone of us saw the title "Platonic Sex" in the shops, we'd get the wrong idea - at least initially anyway.

Just a note to point out that the film is not about sex. It's about someone's struggle to live, after reaching a point where she wanted to commit suicide.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Jul 2005, 12:00

she was curious to see how much of a role model Ai Iijima is to modern Japanese women.

How much of a role model is she?

It sounds like the film doesn't portray the sex industry in a nice light?

The idea of someone in Ai's position now being a celebrity doesn't seem quite right some how.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 18 Jul 2005, 15:15

bradavon wrote: How much of a role model is she?

It sounds like the film doesn't portray the sex industry in a nice light?

The idea of someone in Ai's position now being a celebrity doesn't seem quite right some how.

The film illustrates her struggle so that today's women don't have to face the same hardships she went through. I guess it tells us that we have a choice. It doesn't portray the AV industry in a nice light at all - basically full of sleaze, filth and greed.

I thought the story was eye-opening, for sure... but the way it was narrated in this film wasn't that great. I've a problem with some of the casting and characters. Also I'm pretty sure that a lot of it is fictional.