Two films, one reckoning

Two films from Asia and the Middle East — Japan's 'Black Box Diaries' and Israel's 'The Sea' — are stirring public debate, both confronting entrenched power structures and the limits of expression in their deeply polarised societies.

Each offers an unflinching look at truth, empathy and resistance through personal storytelling, though under vastly different circumstances. In Japan, 'Black Box Diaries' marks a defining moment for the country's #MeToo movement as it prepares to screen domestically for the first time.

Directed by journalist and activist Shiori Ito, the Oscar-nominated documentary chronicles her long, painful fight for justice after accusing former TV reporter Noriyuki Yamaguchi of rape — a charge he denies. The case, and her decision to go public, sparked national conversation about violence.

Ito won a landmark civil case in 2019, with the court awarding her $30,000 in damages and indirectly pushing lawmakers to strengthen rape laws. But despite international acclaim, her documentary had never been screened in Japan, largely due to objections from her former lawyers, who cited the inclusion of covert recordings and courtroom footage. They insisted the film was not banned but delayed over ethical concerns.

Now, after revisions to address those issues, the film will premiere at a single Tokyo cinema in December, according to publicist Toei Advertising. It remains uncertain whether other venues will follow. "I hope this film helps ignite conversations to protect the next person and move society little by little," Ito said.

Her lawyer, Yoko Nishihiro, admitted she was "completely shattered" upon discovering a secretly recorded phone call had been used. Ito has apologised, acknowledging the sensitivity of the material.

Still, her story continues to resonate as a symbol of courage in a society where shame and social pressure often silence survivors. Government surveys reveal that only a fraction of rape victims in Japan report assaults, though consultations at sexual violence support centres are slowly rising.

Ito's case also exposed political interference: she alleges police initially moved to arrest Yamaguchi before the order was abruptly cancelled by "higher-ups," a moment captured in the film. For many, 'Black Box Diaries' represents not just one woman's story, but a rare crack in Japan's institutional armour — one that could finally let the truth breathe.

Across the continent, another film is testing boundaries — this time in Israel, where director Shai Carmeli-Pollak's 'The Sea' has become a cultural lightning rod. The film tells the story of Khaled, a Palestinian boy from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, who dreams of seeing the sea but is denied passage at a checkpoint. Determined, he sets out alone on a dangerous journey, prompting his undocumented father to risk arrest by crossing into Israel to find him.

Winning Israel's top Ophir award, 'The Sea' automatically became the country's entry for the 2026 Oscars. Yet its portrayal of the Israeli military and empathy for Palestinian life infuriated right-wing politicians. Culture Minister Miki Zohar condemned the film and withdrew state funding from the awards ceremony, accusing the project of undermining national pride.

Despite political backlash, Carmeli-Pollak says the audience response has been deeply moving. "People could shed a tear for this story while violence and atrocities happened not far from here," he told Reuters. The film has struck a rare chord of compassion in a nation consumed by conflict.