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The Shortest Distance Is Round

Name: The Shortest Distance Is Round
Director: Daisuke Yamanouchi
Released: 2019
Duration: 70 min

Representation Score

5.4/10

Fair

2019

Director

Daisuke Yamanouchi

Runtime

70 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film stands out by focusing on underrepresented identities and unconventional relationships. It moves away from conventional social norms to explore the intricacies of a relationship that crosses educational boundaries. By presenting the protagonist's involvement in sex work as a consequence of systemic pressures rather than personal failure, the film offers a sympathetic view of social deviation. This approach emphasizes individual struggles over institutional stability. While the film lacks racial and disability diversity, it successfully challenges traditional gender roles and explores queer experiences within a specific cultural context.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Shortest Distance Is Round have LGBTQ+ representation?

Good

The film delves into a close relationship between a student and a teacher that goes beyond typical social norms. It looks at queer identity and non-traditional lifestyles through the protagonist's journey into sex work.

How does The Shortest Distance Is Round portray gender?

Fair

The story challenges traditional masculinity by focusing on the emotional vulnerability of the male protagonist. Haruto's position as an outsider to authority figures highlights the complexity of power dynamics.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Shortest Distance Is Round?

Fair

The production reflects a culturally homogeneous environment specific to Japan. Although it lacks multi-ethnic casting, it avoids imposing Western-centric racial hierarchies.

How does The Shortest Distance Is Round represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative offers a detailed examination of social institutions and moral relativism. Characters are shown navigating outside traditional societal expectations without falling into simplistic moral judgments.

Does The Shortest Distance Is Round include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no visible or invisible disabilities portrayed as central to the character arcs or the plot progression.

Present on Screen

Explores queer identity and non-traditional lifestyles through lived experience.
Highlights male vulnerability to challenge traditional masculinity.
Offers a nuanced critique of social institutions and moral frameworks.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity in its culturally homogeneous setting.
Does not include any representation of visible or invisible disabilities.
The dynamic between intellectual and physical strength among the leads remains undefined.

Official Synopsis

Haruto is a freshman and a loner high school student until the arrival of the new teacher Aoyama. Aoyama cares for Haruto and starts to exchange letters with him, as something more grows inside both of them. But one night, an unexpected kiss ends their beautiful relationship. Three years later, Haruto has become a male prostitute in order to pay back his debts, when he reunites with Aoyama by chance. How will Haruto face his feelings for Aoyama when given a second chance? Should it be 'noir' or should it be 'blanc'? Two versions. Two completely different fates. (The two versions differ in the last 15 minutes)

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