Take a trip to Queer Japan from the comfort of your living room.
A new documentary, directed by Graham Kolbeins, explores the LGBTQ+ culture in Tokyo and other regions through the eyes of its leading out figures.
Kolbeins, along with producers Hiromi Iida and Anne Ishii, created Queer Japan over a five-year journey with over 100 interviews. The documentary features drag queen Vivienne Sato, erotic manga artist Gengoroh Tagame, butoh dancer Atsushi Matsuda, multimedia artist Nogi Sumiko, HIV+ advocate Hiroshi Hasegawa, activist Akira the Hustler, transgender author Tomato Hatakeno, and more.
"There is no singular 'queer Japan,' because queer people are not a monolith," Kolbeins said in a statement. "This film merely offers a patchwork of personal experiences told by a few dozen artists, activists, community leaders, and everyday people living in Japan today.
"It is my deepest hope that our approach does justice to the subjects and communities we're depicting. It's a great honor to share the stories of the brave individuals who opened their lives to this film, and it's my intention with Queer Japan to amplify their voices to audiences around the world."
Queer Japan will be available in partnership with local indie theaters via theatrical-at-home and on VOD December 11 through Apple TV, Prime Video, and Google Play. Watch the trailer below and learn more at QueerJapanMovie.com.
(Related: How a Canadian Manga Lover Made a Must-See Doc on Queer Japan)