Filmvorführung
Samstag, 12. September 2020, 16:00–18:00 Screening of the film „Boys for Sale“ with producer Ian Thomas Ash
Boys are selling sex in Japan. Who is buying?
In the Tokyo district of Shinjuku 2-chōme there are bars that specialize in urisen, young guys who have sex with men. Featuring candid interviews and interspersed with animation detailing the awkward, sweet, and sometimes horrific situations these young sex workers experience, the boys for sale, boldly tell their stories of life in the Tokyo underground. This documentary is an illuminating look into a rarely seen world that tantalizingly shows the humanity of sex work.
For further information on the film see here.
Ian Thomas Ash is a documentary filmmaker living in Japan. He has directed several Japanese documentaries, on contentious topics such as the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima and end-of-life care. He served as Executive Producer for Boys for Sale (2017, dir. Itako) which screened in 40 film festivals across the world, receiving six awards for Best Feature Documentary.
For further information see here.
Co (*1987) is one of the protagonists in the documentary. After graduation from Junior High School he worked in the butchery industry and left for England when he was 17. Two years later he came back to Tokyo and started working in an urisen shop in Shinjuku 2-chōme for about three years. At present he is running the music bar Haagenti in Shinjuku 3-chōme.
The screening is part of the DIJ’s interdisciplinary lecture series “Gender and Sexuality in East Asia: Cultural Studies and Social Science Perspectives”, organised by Dr. Barbara Geilhorn and Dr. Nora Kottmann.
For further information and forthcoming events see here.
The film is in Japanese with English subtitles.
After the film screening there will be discussion with filmmaker Ian Thomas Ash and one protagonist in English/Japanese.
In cooperation with the German Insitute for Japanese Studies (DIJ)
When? Saturday, September 12, 2020, 4-6 pm
Where? Hall of the OAG-House, 7-5-56 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 (Map)
How much? Free admission, donations for covering the expenses are very welcome.
SORRY – FULLY BOOKED!
Registration is obligatory by September 10 via the registration format on the right side of this page. If you have problems with the registration format, please use kottmann@dijtokyo.org (English and Japanese).
Registrations will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. All accepted registrations will be confirmed by e-mail.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the number of participants is limited to 50 people. Ample space between the seats will be provided. Free choice of seating.
Respiratory masks are mandatory. You can bring your own drinks or buy soft drinks from the vending machine in the basement.