Melbourne International Film Festival Review - Black Box Diaries

 

“Rape is the murder of the soul.”

Harrowing, impactful, and heart wrenching, Black Box Diaries is an emotionally taxing journalistic documentary about Shiori Itō’s hard fought struggle to have her rape recognised and the man responsible held accountable, in a deeply personal, stirringly sympathetic and exhaustingly cathartic story filled with resilience and courage. 

Discussion Points:

For over 110 years, Japan’s rape laws archaicly restricted the ability for rape and other sex crimes to be properly prosecuted and penalised. In a culture fuelled by the honour-shame dichotomy, speaking out against sexual assault often led to even more shame being inflicted upon victims who would be shunned by family and community. So to see Shiori Itō’s bold and courageous saga to see the man responsible for her rape found guilty, in a country where even the very thought is an uphill battle, is both deeply inspiring and heartbreakingly infuriating. With each small win, there are countless other road blocks and frustrations. And yet, Itō remains fiercely committed and determined, navigating her own mental heath roller coaster alongside the legal loop-de-loops she has to endure. Itō is a brave, courageous, bubbly, healing young woman. She continues to take a breath, and settle herself, as her idealism and optimism fuel her hard fought journalistic efforts. I was left inspired and infuriated and deeply thankful for Itō’s courage and her story which will hopefully empower many others. My no. 1 documentary of 2024 now and one I think would be very deserving of an Oscar win.