Musuta Kusaka's Everyday Journey with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Japan

The recommendation function of subscription services is a demon. Once you click, thinking “Oh, the distribution has started,” you’re sucked right in. 

https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/video/detail/B0B6RGRNW7/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

“Tokyo 2020 Olympics SIDE: A” was one such movie. I was so absorbed in it that I watched “SIDE: B” all at once. Time just melts away. I’m against the Olympics. I’m in favor of the Paralympics. For me, the Olympics is an event that gives me mixed feelings. It has been decided that the Olympics and the Paralympics will be held as a set. To hold the Paralympics, the Olympics will come along.

However, for me, this movie was very interesting. As a documentary? As a work by Naomi Kawase? It’s both, but also neither. If I had to say, it’s a horror movie.

About the documentary “Tokyo 2020 Olympics SIDE: A/SIDE: B”

The film is a documentary of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which will be released in theaters in June 2022. By the way, the director of the last Tokyo Olympics in 1964 was Kon Ichikawa.

Filming took place over a total of 750 days, or 5,000 hours. Considering that a junior high school class takes 3,045 hours over three years, you can imagine how long the filming was. Seriously?　The numerous scenes are condensed into a 120-minute first part and a 124-minute second part. They are called SIDE: A and SIDE: B.

SIDE: A is a record of the front stage. It is composed mainly of athletes and their families. The pain of having their passion for the sport stolen by COVID-19. Still, they continue to fight without giving up, and we see them from a very close distance. The backstories of the athletes that appear also seem to highlight some kind of minority status, such as refugees, race, place of origin, minor sports, etc. How irreplaceable the Olympic stage is for them. You can see their fight that they will never back down.

On the other hand, SIDE: B is, so to speak, behind the scenes. The committee that must hold the event at all costs and the administration that is struggling to balance this with ensuring safety. Business operators are responsible for the operation, and medical workers are responsible for the lives of COVID-19 patients. Those who have been relieved of their duties and those who have been forced to do so. Proud torch runners and angry demonstrators. It’s a mess. Troubles, scandals, pride, values, and more are all intertwined, but they never come together. It is presented as it is, in a realistic way.

Furthermore, both A and B are full of places that could only be captured on archive footage, people that could only be met, and comments that could only be made through archive footage. There are plenty of scenes that make you think, “I can’t believe the organizing committee gave the OK.”

These are captured in the powerful yet elegant images that only Director Kawase can produce. Needless to say, the beautiful images only intensify the horror.

SIDE: A/B consistently portray the “madness” of not doubting.

“These people are crazy. They’re crazy.” The whole time I was watching the screen I felt uneasy. I was thirsty.

“There are too many people who take the Olympics for granted. I thought it would be better.” The “madness” of unquestioning belief has banded together. Carried away by a slight fever called passion. It’s terrifying to witness it.

“Are you all really not questioning the Olympics?” At least, I don’t remember anyone from the people involved in the Games who appeared in SIDE: A or B expressing doubts about holding the Olympics. No, it’s impossible that they didn’t think it was okay to hold it. However, without even a word, there was a chorus of people who said they wanted to do it and had no choice but to do it. It was a one-way street to hold it. It wasn’t even a “follow the crowd.” Everyone was willing to follow the crowd. It felt like there was no diversity of opinions or values ​​there.

In the film, Director Kawase just takes pictures of faces. From various angles, with a mix of closeness and pulls.
Strange expressions. Moments that could be called bizarre. So much so that you want to say, “Are you making fun of me?” That’s why it was so well captured. The creepiness that is unique to people who blindly believe in something. Although each person has a different background, their expressions are somewhat similar. This is made clear by the beautiful images. I think this is one of the major highlights of this film.

No, even I know that. Only the International Olympic Committee can cancel the event. Tokyo, the host city, cannot put a stop to it. In fact, if Tokyo were to put a stop to it, it would be a breach of contract and would cause huge economic losses. So realistically speaking, canceling it is not realistic. It would also mean that the Paralympics could not be held.

I understand the feeling of believing in the potential of sports. As an office worker, I can empathize painfully with the idea of ​​moving forward because it’s already been decided and it’s work. So I’m not going to say, “Speak out against holding the games!” I can’t say that.

But. Believing and doubting should be compatible. Abandoning a doubting attitude is nothing but abandoning intelligence. It’s scary not to question, but it’s also scary to see people suppressing their true feelings under the pressure of “We have no choice but to do it!” And sad. Isn’t that defeat itself?

If you know the outcome, there are some thoughts that you should not neglect. There are things that can only be learned from regret and reflection, and they become flesh and blood in the midst of the storm. Without that, there is no learning for future generations. This film seems to have recorded it on behalf of the people involved.

To attract and host the Olympics. With that money and time, how many underprivileged children and single mothers could have been improved? Could the treatment of childcare and medical facilities have been reviewed?How many children at the volunteer site where I worked could imagine a bright future from winning a gold medal? More importantly, there’s no food when I go home.
It’s an unequal contract with no way out, made at the expense of many other people and various possibilities.

They, especially many of the organizers, seemed to be turning a blind eye to the people and options they had once abandoned. Ignoring diversity. That is also a form of thoughtlessness. There is nothing more frightening than this.

After a thoughtlessness, they pushed aside the public’s desire for a postponement and opposition, and forced the lame argument that “it is safest under a state of emergency” into society. An abnormal situation has become a part of everyday life so easily. There is nothing more abnormal than being abnormally paralyzed. It’s just adding to the fear.

Ignoring diverse people and closing ourselves off to our own family. They don’t consider various options, and are only concerned with beating their opponents. As a result, they don’t question the premise or the rules. I feel that this is the result of an old and unpleasant aspect of the sports spirit that has been driven by power. And everyone has become homogenous and has started to say the same thing.

I can’t trust people who don’t even voice their doubts, or organizations that can’t speak up. I  thought, “Ah, this is how wars start.” This is why I think this is a horror movie. It’s a dystopia, so to speak.

This horror story doesn’t seem to be limited to the Olympics. Even in the company, there are many irreversible things that make you think, “Wasn’t there someone who could have stopped this?”

So what if I had been there? What if I had been a member of something? That’s what I was forced to think when watching this movie. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t be able to speak out resolutely and with firm resolve. I wouldn’t be able to do that even if I were reborn.

In other words, I too am the kind of person who can easily forget the sacrifices of others and become the one who forces things on society. I have no right to criticize them. The best I can do is to cowardly pat myself on the back and be glad that I wasn’t there. In that sense, it could be said that “tomorrow it could be me.”

Both the critics and the supporters can enjoy this film.

So far, I’ve been criticizing the people involved in the Games, but what’s great about this film is that it’s made to be entertaining from the perspective of both those who are against the Olympics and those who are in favor.

Previously, there was a buzz about an image of a dress that looked different colors depending on who was looking at it. This is the movie version of that. To those who are against the Olympics, it looks like a horror movie. But to those who are in favor of the Olympics, it looks like a sports documentary about overcoming difficulties.
Even though they are watching the exact same thing.

Because. It vividly depicts both the yin and yang sides of human nature, highlighted by the special time and space of the Olympics. The awesomeness of trying to cut through it with the sword of the official recording camera.
The pleasure of being overpowered by the demonic aura that comes through the screen. No matter how you look at it, no matter how you feel, you can affirm your own emotions. Of course it’s fun when you’re pushed to this extent. Giving up and cheering are similar.

Former Prime Minister Mori is a tough man. Even though he brought it on himself, he is a wounded old man. He relentlessly interrogates him about it. He cuts into it one by one. I’m amazed that he was able to interview a mother and her husband who are doing their best as athletes under those circumstances. And a married couple, too. It must have been a very strict bubble method. He even followed them to the airport. Babies from every country are deathly cute.

I thought Director Kawase had done a great job filming it. I also thought it was amazing that the organizing committee, who had planned it after all, had given it the go ahead.

I think this is probably because Director Kawase has a strong critical perspective. She leaves the evaluation of this film entirely up to future generations. That’s why she can cut to the core. It ‘s as if she’s saying that there will always be people in the future who understand. After all the people who have maintained the unpleasant nature of the sports world have left this world. Only people of an era in which values ​​based on diversity have become the norm will be able to appreciate the true value of this film. I wonder if such an era will ever come.

Speaking of the future. There was a scene in this movie that made me cry. It was the first time I cried while watching a sporting event. I don’t think I’ll cry again for a while.

It was a skateboarding scene. The skateboarders looked so godlike, in stark contrast to the organizers. If these kids can continue to perform in the future, it’s not so bad.

We all lend a helping hand to a fallen athlete and pull him up off the ramp. If a player slumps, we all lift him up on our shoulders to praise him for his good performance. This is what sports should be like. Or rather, this is how we hope it should be. Love, Peace, Unity, Having Fun. These are not just pretty words, but practical keywords for getting along with a diverse range of people.

Regardless of nationality, age, or other attributes, veryone seems to enjoy competing with their skills. The fun time spent together is more valuable than beating the opponent in front of you. Moreover, skateboarding has a culture that reinterprets certain rules of the city. In other words, it is the exact opposite of “closed to one’s own family. Devoted to beating the opponent in front of them. Not questioning the rules.” It also looks like they are having so much fun. I wonder if the people in that scary organization enjoyed the Olympics. Isn’t it the reason we do sports because it’s fun?

I am critical of the Olympics, but this film makes me realize that it is rude to say things like “If you are moved, you lose.” I felt that this was also the work of this film.

Once again, “Tokyo 2020 Olympics SIDE: A/SIDE: B” is a must-see. Especially B!