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The Contestant

  • 2023
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
The Contestant (2023)
A Japanese reality TV star left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing.
Play trailer1:38
1 Video
4 Photos
BiographyDocumentary

A Japanese reality TV star left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing.A Japanese reality TV star left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing.A Japanese reality TV star left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing.

  • Director
    • Clair Titley
  • Writer
    • Clair Titley
  • Stars
    • Toshio Tsuchiya
    • Tomoaki Hamatsu
    • Kazuko Hamatsu
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    3.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Clair Titley
    • Writer
      • Clair Titley
    • Stars
      • Toshio Tsuchiya
      • Tomoaki Hamatsu
      • Kazuko Hamatsu
    • 29User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:38
    Official Trailer

    Photos3

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast9

    Edit
    Toshio Tsuchiya
    • Self
    Tomoaki Hamatsu
    • Self
    • (as Nasubi)
    Kazuko Hamatsu
    • Self - Tomoaki Hamatsu's mother
    Seiichi Hirai
    • Self - Nasubi's manager
    Harutaro Kagawa
    • Self - director of reality show Denpa Shonen
    Juliet Hindell
    • Self
    Ikuyo Hamatsu
    • Self - Tomoaki Hamatsu's elder sister
    Jun Anzai
    • Self - Tomoaki Hamatsu's childhood friend
    Kenji Kondo
    • Self - mountain guide
    • Director
      • Clair Titley
    • Writer
      • Clair Titley
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    7.23.5K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9prestonmick-975-597748

    WHAT THE ACTUAL F@%#

    I am in shock after seeing this documentary.

    It's hard to express how I feel, I most definitely want to strangle that disgusting cruel and greedy producer but I also wanna cry with SADNESS....and joy for Nasubi.

    I mean, you're better going into this not knowing anything and just let it all unfold for you.

    It's insane, deeply sad, comical, touching, makes you angry, but ultimately you'll be emotionally moved by this unique story that will never be repeated in any way shape or form.

    What a courageous and humble human being and I hope he never has to worry about money, or anything, for the rest of his life.

    My god, the barbarity of Japanese TV is boundless. Please watch and be shocked but I hope the decency of this man will touch your soul like it did for me. What a true hero and inspiration.

    This really is a MUST SEE.
    7thalassafischer

    Please Tell Me Nasubi is Financially Set For Life...

    All I could think while watching this is that in America this kind of TV star never actually gets rich. They might get their foot in the door, or get a lump sum of money they might be able to apply to other endeavors, but you don't necessarily become a millionaire set for life just from being on a TV show - even if people loved that show. That kind of thing really mostly applies to big Hollywood actors. And what this man endured was absolutely traumatic abuse.

    The absolute gall of that producer calling himself the devil, and saying he didn't know "at the time" how far was too far. Really? You were an adult with a career not a twelve year old kid, what do you mean you didn't know at the time how far was too far.

    Really intriguing to watch, and I am glad Nasubi was able to use his fame to move forward and help people in Fukushima. It may have even given him the tenacity required to survive Mt. Everest if you really think about it...but still.
    8monogatari82

    An unbelievably cruel thing to do to a human being

    I noticed this documentary, half intrigued but horrified by the premise, I'm about 3/4 into the documentary and feel like punching the producer of Denpa Shonen Toshio Tsuchiya who is still pleased with what he did, and doesn't seem to know empathy.

    With what I know from the afterlife, he will (like everyone) get to feel all the pain inflicted on other living beings, and feel exactly what they went through.

    This all just makes me feel sad. Some of the things that happened in there will be amongst the worst nightmare people can imagine.

    The documentary itself deserves an 8, I would probably not rate the original show that high.
    9darrylmsmith

    WOW

    I watched this by myself and I was saying out loud "WOW", "I don't believe this", and many expletives.

    It's a crazy ride. I'm not really an outwardly emotion person, but at certain points, I teared up - out of happiness, out of shock, out of just wrapping my head around.

    It is much more than a voyeuristic experience of him endure, it really is a reflection of humanity; on one hand the cruelty that humans can afflict on another, and then it also showcases the compassion of humanity.

    After watching, I am so surprised that here in the US I had never heard about this. It's really unbelievable.

    I am typing this right after watching and my head is still wrapping my head around what I just saw.
    anglicant

    The producer should be in prison

    Crazy documentary. Not in the "haha" funny kind of way. More in a "the producer and pretty much every decision maker involved should be tried in the Hague and imprisoned for a decade" kind of way... Anything less than them personally paying an above average wage to this man for the rest of his life is grave injustice.

    This show is what happens when capitalism is not held accountable. It was pure, unbridled exploitation, kidnapping, and psychological trauma for profit. Anyone justifying otherwise is an absolute psychopath. The producer tries to make it seem as though he was conflicted, but he's very obviously a raging narcissist.

    Nasubi has the heart of a lion. 99% of humanity would not be able to ensure what he went through. I wish him the best.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Features Susume! Denpa shônen (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      Way Out
      Written & Performed by Miho Hatori

      Licensed Courtesy of Miho Hatori

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    FAQ

    • How long is The Contestant?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 2, 2024 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • Japans ovetande realitystjärna
    • Filming locations
      • Fukushima, Japan
    • Production company
      • Misfits Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $24,108
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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