The Contestant

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A fascinating record of a controversial mega-hit Japanese TV show, which saw an aspiring comedian locked in a room and living off magazine prizes.
The notorious Japanese TV reality show Denpa Shōnen: A Life in Prizes, which ran from 1998 to 2002, stirred up ethical debates around its dubious premise. Among the absurd missions doled out to eager participants, a segment of the show featured the young comedian Nasubi. Isolated in an empty room and initially naked, Nasubi filled out postcards to enter magazine sweepstakes that secured him clothes, food and other essential products, with each win bringing him closer to a pre-set target. Combining clips from the show with previously unseen footage, alongside interviews with Nasubi, his family and Denpa Shōnen’s producer, The Contestant is an astute account of a national phenomenon that presaged the global rise in reality TV.

Film details

  • Director(s)
    Clair Titley
  • Country(s)
    United Kingdom, Japan
  • Year
    2023
  • Duration
    90 mins
  • Producer(s)
    Andee Ryder / Misfits Entertainment , Megumi Inman, Ian Bonhôte / Misfits, Andee Ryder
  • Cinematography
    Mikul Villaluna Eriksson
  • Editing
    Rachel Meyrick
  • Sound
    Steve Evans, Rin Takada, Tatsuya Kishikawa
  • Language(s)
    Japanese, English
  • Subtitles
    Partial English Subtitles
  • Certification
    15

Book tickets

The Contestant + Q&A
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Showroom - Bertha DocHouse Screen 3
Q&A with director Clair Titley, producer Andee Ryder. Moderated by Ian Smith.
The Contestant + Q&A
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Showroom - Warner Chappell Production Music Screen 4
Q&A with director Clair Titley, producer Megumi Inman. Moderated by Mathy Selvakumaran.
The Contestant + Q&A
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Curzon - Screen 3
Q&A with editor Rachel Meyrick. Moderated by Lola Coker.

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