Sunday, June 18, 6:00 pm, Roxie + streaming encore
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| Old Narcissus |
Yamazaki is a septuagenarian (which he explains to Leo means he is in his 70s) author of children’s books. He hires Leo, a sex worker, for a little BDSM play. Over the ensuing weeks and months, Yamazaki and Leo become closer as they find commonalities in their lives, even across two generations. In the background is the complicated reality of LGBTQ life in Japan, where, for example, heterosexual marriage is recognized nationally, but same-sex domestic partnerships are granted by local authorities and thus only valid while the couple live in that region. The two go on a road trip, chasing someone from Yamazaki’s past.
This film contains violence and sexual activity, but my main hesitation in recommending it is that I often felt like I was missing important cultural references. There were also a few points where a plot thread just dropped away without my being able to understand how it was resolved. Interesting and recommended for mature audiences.
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