Graham Kolbeins - Queer Japan

A feature documentary about LGBTQ+ artists and activists in Japan.

2019 • Japanese with English subtitles • 100 minutes

Directed by Graham Kolbeins • Produced by Hiromi Iida • Co-Written by Anne Ishii

Trailblazing artists, activists, and everyday people from across the spectrum of gender and sexuality defy social norms and dare to shine in this kaleidoscopic view of LGBTQ+ culture in contemporary Japan. From glossy pride parades to playfully perverse underground parties, Queer Japan pictures people living brazenly unconventional lives in the sunlight, the shadows, and everywhere in between.

Dazzling, iconoclastic drag queen Vivienne Sato peels back the layers of language and identity. Maverick manga artist Gengoroh Tagame tours the world with his unapologetically erotic gay comics. Councilwoman Aya Kamikawa recounts her rocky path to becoming the first transgender elected official in Japan. At legendary kink-positive hentai party Department H, performance artist Saeborg uses rubber to create a second skin.

Culled from 100+ interviews conducted over 3 years in locations across Japan, Queer Japan features dozens of individuals sharing their experiences in their own words. Get to know a vibrant and inspiring group of human beings in a country with a unique history of queer expression.

Cast: Vivienne Sato, Gengoroh Tagame, Atsushi Matsuda, Nogi Sumiko, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Akira the Hustler, Tomato Hatakeno, Leslie Kee, Aya Kamikawa

Official Selection:

Rainbow Reel Tokyo

Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival

Reel Affirmations XTRA (Washington D.C.)

Vancouver Queer Film Festival

Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival

Camera Japan Festival (Rotterdam)

Seattle Queer Film Festival

NewFest New York's LGBTQ Film Festival

Beijing Queer Film Festival

Ljubljana LGBT Film Festival