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When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty

Name: When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty
Director: Yuho Ishibashi
Released: 2023
Duration: 76 min

Representation Score

7.2/10

Good

2023

Director

Yuho Ishibashi

Runtime

76 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film provides a poignant look at modern existentialism, particularly through its critique of capitalist expectations. It effectively highlights female psychological ability to act and the impact of professional burnout. However, the narrative remains somewhat limited by its homogeneous social setting. The lack of explicit diversity in terms of race and ethnicity prevents a higher overall assessment. Ultimately, the work is a character-driven study of internal struggles rather than a broad social tapestry.

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Category Breakdown

Does When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on an emotional connection between Nozomi and Kanako, which seems to move away from traditional heterosexual relationships. The exact nature of their relationship is not clearly defined, but it hints at a departure from conventional assumptions about relationships.

How does When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty portray gender?

Good

The story challenges traditional gender roles by centering on a woman's psychological journey. It highlights Nozomi's struggle against oppressive corporate demands, emphasizing her role in driving the narrative.

How racially and ethnically diverse is When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty?

Limited

The film is set in a predominantly Japanese environment. There is no clear indication of diverse racial backgrounds or the blending of different cultural identities.

How does When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques the capitalist productivity culture by focusing on a protagonist who rejects traditional careerism. It emphasizes the importance of individual emotional truth over institutional stability.

Does When Morning Comes, I Feel Empty include disability representation?

Fair

The film explores mental health issues through themes of workplace trauma and emotional emptiness. However, it does not provide specific markers for neurodivergence or chronic illnesses.

Present on Screen

Strong critique of capitalist productivity culture and corporate expectations.
Focuses on female psychological ability to act and reclaiming personal identity.
Offers a nuanced exploration of mental health and workplace trauma.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Provides limited specific representation for neurodivergent or chronic illness conditions.
The nature of queer identity remains ambiguous and not explicitly defined.

Official Synopsis

24-year-old Nozomi quit her job at an ad agency and now works part-time at a convenience store. Her ordinary days are enlivened by funny and kind co-workers but her heart is troubled because she cannot tell her parents about her situation and she is haunted by her failure to meet the excessive demands at her previous workplace. One day, her former junior high school classmate Kanako appears and Nozomi begins to articulate how she feels.

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