Egoist

Daishi Matsunaga's 2023 film is adapted from Makoto Takayama's autobiographical novel. Kosuke, who works at a fashion magazine in Tokyo, begins a relationship with his personal trainer Ryuta. As it develops, Ryuta's financial difficulty and his responsibility for his mother come to the surface. The title points straight at a question: is helping someone with money love, or a way of feeling good about yourself. Kosuke asks himself that question and the film gives him no clear answer. Matsunaga came from documentary and it shows in the shooting; handheld camera, scenes left open to improvisation, actors frequently talking over each other. Ryohei Suzuki's performance was among the most discussed of the year in Japan. The second half turns in an unexpected direction and the tone changes completely. Who it's for: those who like Japanese queer cinema and relationship drama. Who it's not for: viewers who do not want to approach grief and loss; the film arrives there in its second half.