Plan 75

The film disappointingly overlooks the opportunity to delve into the underlying reasons and consequences of the growing ageing population in its failure to address the crucial issue of the increasing demographic challenge faced by Japan - the fertility rate is below the replacement level. This critical concern could have been thoroughly examined within the film's narrative. Understanding the complex factors contributing to Japan's low birth rate is crucial to comprehend the social and economic implications that stem from an ageing population. By delving into the societal pressures, cultural shifts, and economic challenges that influence reproductive decisions, the film could have shed light on a pressing issue contemporary Japan faces. A missed opportunity indeed.

Moreover, exploring the far-reaching repercussions of this demographic shift would have added depth and relevance to the film. The burdensome strain on the healthcare system, pension funds, and social welfare programs are all real-world consequences of a rapidly ageing society. The film had the potential to address this social fallout and project a cautionary tale for real-world Japan, underscoring the urgency for policies and initiatives to tackle the impending crisis.

Intertwining these themes within the film's narrative, could have prompted viewers to contemplate the intricate relationship between demographics, societal dynamics, and the future well-being of a nation. Unfortunately, the filmmakers overlooked these critical aspects. The film's failure to address the underlying reasons and consequences of Japan's ageing population leaves a void in its narrative. By delving into the causes of Japan's low fertility rate and exploring the resulting social fallout, the film could have offered valuable insights and stimulated meaningful discussions. Regrettably, it falls short of fulfilling its potential and leaves audiences craving a more thought-provoking and socially aware exploration of this pressing issue.

A difficult subject of the loneliness and desolation of growing old when you are on your own and aggravated by a social & government encouragement of sacrifice any financial burden on the younger generation because you are now not contributing to society (this is not actual circumstances but we may not be far from it yet). It follows the story of 3 main characters (it actually touches much more than 3 different roles/characters in the story) of how this government funded Plan 75 (which because of it success, it is being considered for lowering from age 75 to 65!) is being marketed like a 5-star flan with compensation of money to use before volunteering to die, the gross act of dyibg itself in mass partitioned premises, the disposal of the bodies possessions, mass cremations and ashes lanong in landfills. The main 3 characters include a 78 lady who faces life alone and has to decide to choose the Plan or not, a young guy who markers the solan and a worker who has to handle the dead bodies and their possessions. It's a slow moving story but a hauntingly rewarding one. Remember - if you are lucky, you grow old. Even if you have children, you may be lonely. Even if you have friends, they may die first. A thought provoking story indeed.

This film gave plenty of time to the audience to contemplate on the complex theme of aging in a growing society focused on youth. The film opens on a scene based on the true story of the Japanese man who massacred 19 disabled patients in their hospital beds, believing that he was providing mercy for his victims and a sacrifice that would benefit the nation. Introducing viewers to this very dark event and connecting it to the ethics of care for aging citizens, strikes the dystopian, yet realistic, and societal critical tone for the rest of the film. The scenes have very slow and long scenes showing mundane acts, such as making food, filling out paperwork, and with wide camera shots that has the audience feel more like they are surveilling the characters. There are few moments of character development and it feels slightly detached, when you don't always know a character's full history. However, it puts you into the exact moments the characters are going through seemingly in real time, which adds to the realism of the film. Whether or not the main characters are surrounded by people in a given scene, the lack of nondiegetic sound or music (which would influence how you feel), creates a sense of extreme, heartbreaking loneliness. Considering how Mishi is struggling with her decision to go through with Plan 75, her internal thoughts stay secret which is poignant in thinking about elderly solitude and the painful emotions that arise from that topic. Plan 75 depicts aging as an ongoing ethical question instead of just using senior citizen character to invoke emotion. 6.5/10.

Plan 75: A future Japan where the elderly are offered voluntary euthanasia to deal withe strain of an ageing population. They'll even throw in free cremation and interment. As the narrative unfolds though we see there are subtle pressures placed on older people, they are still working into their 70s, even at manual outdoor jobs, they lack security of tenure in their homes. They are not made into Soylent Green but even their last moments lack the dignity which was offered in that film. They also face violence, the opening scene a middle- aged man shoots his wheelchair bound parent and then commits suicide. The widespread nature of the threat is subtly alluded to. While senior citizens are seen as disposable, immigrant Filipino workers are used as cheap labour as caregivers. Some deeply personal stories are related as characters challenge roles which seem preordained. It's a plausible scenario as Plan 75 also offers a kind of Anti-Samaritans talkline where lonely old folk may discuss their woes. A disturbing film which ypu will mull over long after the credits have rolled. Directed and co-written by Chie Hayakawa. 8/10.

I really like the premise of this film. Given Japan's problems with an ageing population this was the perfect country for this movie to be set.

I feel though that it was a missed opportunity. This is because there was no real in-depth conversations about why the country needed to introduce Plan 75. Similarly it wasn't shown how the country was benefiting from it.

No one debated the morals and ethics of it either.

I kept waiting for people to discuss the core issues of Plan 75 but it never came. Instead we see people living depressing lives who consider Plan 75 because living has become so hard.

Why not have someone who is doing quite well but shocks their family by choosing Plan 75 because they see it as doing the right thing for the country?

Or show some young people that need medical attention but cannot get it because all the medical resources have been consumed by the elderly and hence why Plan 75 has become so important.

Anyway I really wanted to like this movie but unfortunately it missed the opportunity to delve into the deeper aspects of what Plan 75 would mean.