Long-term psychological trauma is thoughtfully rendered in the excellent Black Box Diaries

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As I delved into the raw, unfiltered world of Shiori Itō through “Black Box Diaries”, I found myself captivated by this extraordinary woman’s resilience and vulnerability. Her journey, fraught with pain and courage, is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. The film’s intimate portrayal of Itō’s daily life offers a unique insight into her gallows humor, a coping mechanism that not only lightens the heavy burden she carries but also makes us connect with her on an emotional level.

CW: discussions of sexual abuse, rape below

As a passionate admirer, I’d rephrase Director Shiori Itō’s opening in a personal and straightforward manner: “In the beginning of her documentary ‘Black Box Diaries’, Director Shiori Itō speaks directly to you, the viewer. A series of raindrops hitting a pool of water are shown on screen while a handwritten-style text appears. This text, written by Itō herself, serves as a caution for those who have experienced sexual abuse, as some of the events and terminology in the following movie might be distressing. ‘Black Box Diaries’ delves into the psychological impact and legal proceedings stemming from Itō’s allegations of rape. To support those viewers, Itō advises doing breathing exercises during particularly intense segments, sharing that this has always helped her personally. She then invites you to join her on her journey by saying, ‘Now let me share my story.’

From the opening scene, the documentary Black Box Diaries powerfully showcases a deep understanding and compassion towards individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. This sentiment is consistently maintained throughout the film, making it a unique and impactful piece of cinema.

In her youth, Itō harbored numerous aspirations about the direction her life might take. However, at age 26, her life’s course was dramatically altered. On April 3, 2015, Itō claims she was raped by Noriyuki Yamaguchi in a Sheraton hotel. For two years, Itō diligently collaborated with authorities to seek justice for this heinous act. Yet, Yamaguchi, who had close ties with Japan’s then-prime minister Shinzo Abe, is a prominent figure. Warrants for his arrest seem to lead nowhere. The police assert there isn’t enough evidence. Itō continues to encounter obstacles in her quest for some semblance of closure following this harrowing ordeal.

Two years ago, on that chilly April night, I stepped forward to share my story about Yamaguchi. The response was a tsunami of criticism, a cold wave that seemed to follow me wherever I went, regardless of the country I found myself in. It’s disheartening, isn’t it? Speaking up against those in power, exposing their abuse and cruelty, often earns you not admiration but scorn. Anita Hill, Christine Blasey Ford, Amber Heard – we’re the ones who dare to rock the boat, reveal the ugly truth about how power can dehumanize, particularly those of marginalized genders. Instead of being celebrated, we’re too often demonized. Black Box Diaries captures this harsh reality in a poignant scene, where voices of condemnation against me play over footage of hurried footsteps on a Japanese walkway.

One of the especially horrifying responses is a man claiming that Itō should “be choked” for daring to “criticize Japan” with her allegations. Playing these recordings against this footage subliminally suggests that these comments can come from anyone, not just specific DJs or news personalities. It’s one of several ways Black Box Diaries ingeniously juxtaposes essential audio with seemingly disconnected imagery. In the earliest days of Itō’s post-assault aftermath, she was talking to investigators behind closed doors. There were no security cameras or documentary crew capturing their interactions.

In Black Box Diaries, Itō’s filmmaking captures her feelings as she recalls conversations that showed a lack of concern from law enforcement about her case. These conversations are juxtaposed against ordinary settings like a well-lit tunnel or trees swaying in the wind in a park. This cinematic technique immerses viewers in Itō’s mental state, making it feel as if they are experiencing her daily commute or sitting outside while memories of her experiences being dismissed play in her mind. For survivors of sexual trauma, these past reminders and perceptions can appear anywhere, at any time of day. The movie brilliantly reflects this reality through the carefully crafted visual and audio relationships during the Black Box Diaries segments.

Over time, after Itō shares her testimony publicly, cameras become an almost constant presence in her life. Despite attempts by influential Japanese figures to suppress her, the persistent cameras serve as a reminder of Itō’s very existence. Fortunately, during this pivotal moment in the Black Box Diaries, we don’t see the usual cliches of documentaries, such as characters positioned at the center for explicit explanations about Japan’s handling of sex crimes or frequent appearances of distant experts who have no direct connection to Itō. Instead, Black Box Diaries focuses on candid footage showing Itō preparing for court, working on her book titled Black Box Diaries, and simply going about her daily life as a person.

In the intimate snapshots of ‘Black Box Diaries’, viewers gain a deeper understanding of Shiori Itō’s character. This documentary particularly highlights Itō’s inclination towards dark humor as a means of dealing with difficult situations. For instance, when she and her friend suspect their apartment is bugged, Itō playfully calls a shop to inquire about anti-surveillance devices. Her casual use of such a term during this chaotic time showcases her unique way of handling her extraordinary circumstances. Various everyday instances like these reveal her distinct coping mechanism, making poignant moments such as her honest statement “I’m not a symbol, I’m not a representation of anything” all the more impactful. In essence, ‘Black Box Diaries’ serves as a powerful portrayal of Shiori Itō as a multi-dimensional individual.

That quality informs the most emotionally raw Black Box Diaries sequences concerning the long-term psychological trauma of sexual abuse. Especially unforgettable is a scene where Itō attends a women in journalism conference. Here, other ladies recount experiences of sexual torment and harassment. Afterward, Itō addresses the crowd and confesses that, for one of the first times since that fateful April 2015 night, she feels “covered in blankets” rather than emotionally naked in front of the world. Tears in her eyes, she remarks “I feel lots of hope” hearing these testimonies.

In a subtle yet impactful manner, Ito’s filmmaking style in Black Box Diaries is commendable. Unlike some films that overwhelm their footage with heavy-handed scores, this one maintains an understated approach, allowing the atmosphere of each scene to breathe naturally. Instead of quick cuts, extended shots are used to create a sense of real-time unfolding events. This minimalist approach effectively places the testimonies of Ito and other sexual trauma survivors at the forefront, as powerful words can often strike deeply into one’s soul, much like Ito herself experienced during this conference.

In this movie, the raw and silent filming technique astonishes in a later scene where Itō leans her head on a friend’s lap while recounting her encounter with Yamaguchi in court. The camera remains fixed, capturing Itō as she remembers this pivotal moment. This enables viewers to witness live as a hint of assurance spreads across her face as she delves deeper into her story. The realization that she was facing him again and looking him straight in the eye is slowly dawning on her. “I’m still here,” Itō notes about her intent behind her presence, “I’m listening.” This scene is incredibly intimate, heightened by Itō’s bare, confident filmmaking style.

There is no way to fully escape trauma. You don’t “conquer” it, you just find different ways to live with it. Even in one of the final Black Box Diaries scenes, Itō notes that, in the future, she’ll “still have to face wounds…[there’s] still so much to be done.” This documentary concludes not with a definitive triumph, but a recognition of the long psychological road ahead. As Itō’s thoughtful opening on-screen text demonstrates, though, there are ways to cope with the horrors of daily life. Art like Black Box Diaries can also help one process the unspeakable.

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2024-10-29 15:15