I love watching films. Film is one of tools that everyone can know the culture or system of each countries.
I want to mention a Japanese film. It is "Soredemo Boku wa Yattenai" , directed by Masayuki Suo. He is a director of "Shall we dance?". "Soredemo" has been released last year in Japan. I saw it in TV again.
The film's theme is about judicial problem "Enzai", false accusation. A young man who doesn't have regular job, we call these people Freeter, is arrested for molester in train. The victim is a junior high school student. The commuter train in the morning is so clammed with a lot of businessmen or women and students. No witness and no real evidence. Only her testimony and circumstantial evidence are keys to resolve the case.
Everyone, station attendants, police and prosecutors believe that he is guilty. And they inquire him as if he is a criminal. However, he continues to say to the last, "I didn't do it." His family, friends and defenses are his supporters.
The case like this film was reported recently in Japan. The businessman was arrested for a molester, but he was innocent. He was flamed by a university student and his girl friend.
There are some causes for "Enzai" They are investigation in police, judge's personality or invisible pressure of national authorities for the verdict. Various problems are described in this film.
In case of being prosecuted that someone is guilty once, it is very difficult to prove he (she) is innocent in Japanese court. The possibility of changing to be innocent is only 0.1 % in Japan. It is harsh fact. The situation like this film is possible to happen for everyone.
I haven't known these facts or Japanese court system. I think almost Japanese would not have known until we saw it. The director has investigated judicial system about for ten years. "Soredemo" is serious and great film. You will be enjoy the story as a trial movie and know present situation in Japan.
http://www.soreboku.jp/eng/index.html
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2 comments:
I think Suo did an excellent job with this film. But it became clear to me that Teppei should have confessed and paid the fine. Japanese society is foremost about maintaining harmony, not individual convictions. If the most important thing was that Teppei knew the truth, he could have known the truth while pleading guilty and walking away free. If Japanese want a system like ours (USA) innocent until proven guilty, they'll have the additional responsibility of knowing their governmental systems are fallible and all the insecurity that brings. It's really a question of choice security or freedom.
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A Happy New Year !
How do you spend in this new year ?Thank you for your comment. And I'm sorry for not responding soon.
Jury low was enacted in Japan and new system begins this year as concerns serious criminal cases.
It is important for us to know our actual situation through this film.
I hope that investigations by Japanese police or judicial system changes in future.
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