New Showbiz

You are here:
West North West

West North West

2018

Director

Takuro Nakamura

Runtime

126 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Kei works at a cocktail bar, while Ai works as a model. Fearing she'll be ostracized by society, Kei chooses not to admit her sexual orientation to anyone, and, as a result, she becomes distressed and lonely. One day, Kei gets close to Naima, an Iranian student studying art in Japan.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

7.1/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Excellent

The film centers on Kei’s struggle with her sexual orientation and the psychological weight of remaining closeted. It avoids surface-level tropes to explore the deep anxiety caused by societal pressure.

Gender Representation

Fair

The story features a dual-protagonist structure with women working in the hospitality and fashion industries. This focus on female emotional agency moves away from traditional male-centric frameworks.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The inclusion of Naima, an Iranian student in Japan, introduces vital cross-cultural elements. This connection disrupts the typical homogeneity found in domestic dramas.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The narrative critiques rigid social structures and the pressure to conform to societal norms. It explores the loneliness that arises when individuals cannot live authentically.

Disability Representation

Minimal

The film does not feature characters navigating physical, neurodivergent, or mental health disabilities.

Strengths

  • Nuanced exploration of the psychological toll of hiding one's sexual orientation.
  • Effective use of internationalism through the introduction of an Iranian expatriate character.
  • Focus on female emotional agency and professional life within a character-driven drama.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of representation regarding physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
  • Limited detail on how the film subverts traditional gender hierarchies.

AI Analysis

West North West is a sophisticated character study that prioritizes intersectional identity and cross-cultural connection. By focusing on the internal psychological states of its protagonists, the film moves beyond conventional plot-driven tropes. The narrative successfully explores the tension between personal identity and social preservation. It provides a meaningful look at how marginalized individuals navigate restrictive social frameworks. While the film excels in LGBTQ+ and international representation, it offers less information regarding the subversion of gender hierarchies or the inclusion of disability.

How are these scores produced? →

Similar Movies

Movie poster for All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White

All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White

2023

No user ratings available yet
Diversity score: 7.6 out of 10

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.