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Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

Name: Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
Director: Kotaro Tamura
Released: 2020
Duration: 98 min

Representation Score

5.7/10

Fair

2020

TV-PG

Director

Kotaro Tamura

Runtime

98 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish stands out by integrating Josee's disability into her identity rather than using it as a plot device. The film challenges the stereotype of a helpless protagonist by allowing Josee to take charge of her story. However, the film remains limited in other areas such as LGBTQ+ representation and cultural diversity. It focuses on a traditional heterosexual romance, offering little space for alternative perspectives. Overall, the film is a nuanced character study that emphasizes Josee's autonomy and the social barriers she faces.

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Category Breakdown

Does Josee, the Tiger and the Fish have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories. The romantic storyline follows a typical heterosexual relationship without any hints of queer relationships.

How does Josee, the Tiger and the Fish portray gender?

Good

The film centers on Josee's intellectual and creative pursuits, disrupting traditional gender roles. She avoids being portrayed as a passive female by prioritizing her own role in her future.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Josee, the Tiger and the Fish?

Fair

Set in contemporary Japan, the film presents a culturally uniform environment. It lacks diverse racial representation among its characters.

How does Josee, the Tiger and the Fish represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story highlights Josee's struggle against a sheltered family's traditional constraints, emphasizing personal fulfillment over societal norms.

Does Josee, the Tiger and the Fish include disability representation?

Excellent

Josee is shown with high ability to act, using her wheelchair as a part of her daily life rather than a symbol of pity. The film avoids the cliché of fixing her disability.

Present on Screen

The film provides exceptional representation of disability, showing the protagonist with significant control over her life.
It challenges traditional gender roles by highlighting the female lead's intellectual and creative independence.
The film avoids portraying physical limitations as a source of inspiration or pity.

Limited or Absent

There is no representation of LGBTQ+ characters or stories in the film.
The film lacks racial or ethnic diversity.
The romantic storyline follows a traditional heterosexual path.

Official Synopsis

With dreams of diving abroad, Tsuneo gets a job assisting Josee, an artist whose imagination takes her far beyond her wheelchair. But when the tide turns against them, they push each other to places they never thought possible, and inspire a love fit for a storybook.

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