Fri 13 October – 19:30 The Venue
Japan 2022
Dir: Chie Hayakawa
Cert: 15
112 mins
Starring: Chieko Baisho, Hayato Isomura, Stefanie Arianne
Is living into old age a right? In this extraordinary film we see a fictionalised version of contemporary Japanese society in which the government has introduced a state sponsored euthanasia scheme – Plan 75 – under which elderly people are encouraged to agree to ending their lives at the age of 75. The country has a rapidly ageing population and there is growing resentment of “unproductive” old people, the care of whom drains much needed resources. Many old people welcome the plan, some not wanting to be a burden on their families, others, especially those too ashamed to take welfare benefits, relieved to be putting an end to financial difficulties. The film progresses calmly in almost documentary style, a far cry away from the “dystopian future” genre. The plan is not after all compulsory, although the propaganda becomes more and more insidious and a Plan 65 is even mooted! In real-life Japan, where 40% of the population is over 60, the film has provoked lively debate…
Trailer:
