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The Woman Who Wanted to Die

Name: The Woman Who Wanted to Die
Director: Kōji Wakamatsu
Released: 1971
Duration: 71 min

Representation Score

5.9/10

Fair

1971

Director

Kōji Wakamatsu

Runtime

71 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Kōji Wakamatsu’s film serves as a transgressive work that challenges conventional expectations of domestic stability. It uses psychological volatility to critique the rigid social frameworks of the time. The narrative structure emphasizes the deconstruction of traditional social roles. By focusing on the protagonist's desire for death, the film shifts towards a more philosophical and existential inquiry. While the film provides a strong critique of social structures and cultural depth, it lacks clear representations of LGBTQ+ character arcs or disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Woman Who Wanted to Die have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film explores complex interpersonal relationships and unconventional relationships. However, specific LGBTQ+ identities are not clearly defined.

How does The Woman Who Wanted to Die portray gender?

Good

The narrative focuses on the protagonist's inner struggles and female subjectivity. It avoids depicting women as passive domestic figures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Woman Who Wanted to Die?

Fair

As a Japanese production, the film presents a culturally homogeneous perspective. It challenges Western-centric cinematic views through its specific historical context.

How does The Woman Who Wanted to Die represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The work delves into subjective morality and existentialism. It critiques traditional social cohesion and institutionalized morality by emphasizing individualistic, often destructive, impulses.

Does The Woman Who Wanted to Die include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in this work.

Present on Screen

Focuses on female subjectivity and existential ability to act rather than passive domesticity.
Provides a deep critique of traditional social stability and institutionalized morality.
Presents a culturally specific perspective that challenges Western-centric cinematic norms.

Limited or Absent

Does not clearly depict non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth or non-straight-centered identities.
Does not provide evidence regarding the representation of physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Mishima has just committed suicide. Two couples meet by accident at an inn in the countryside, the man and the woman, now, each with a new partner, who knew each other already for ten years...

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