Peep 'TV' Show

This film is a leap into a voyeuristic world, set in Tokyo. Filmed in a documentary style (some of this had to be ad libbed, its too confessional), this is about some young people and how they live their lives. It revolves around a web show, originally just of people-legs mostly-walking in Shibuya, in the city of Tokyo. The young man keeps a camera there and films them, as well as others in their apartment. Then, a young lady named Moe, who dresses in the "Gothic Lolita" style (look at the two words together and you may understand the look, or see the movie "Kamikaze Girls") meets him and becomes part of this. The film is actually good, in that it paints a picture of some young people who are truly unhappy with their lives, people who just don't fit the norm. On that level, the film works admirably. Not perfect, since there are some moments that are not that interesting, but it is an intermittently fascinating film about the fringe of youth culture. On that level, it succeeds admirably.

It's been a couple of months since I last watched this movie, I've seen it twice now and it's definitely one that sticks with me.

Let me start off by saying, I'm fully aware this movie isn't for everyone. It's strange and I can't really compare it fully to another movie I've seen (There's the Kamikaze Girls comparison, but it starts and ends at the Lolita style.) I wouldn't say watch it and expect some grand story, but that doesn't mean it lacks a meaningful story either.

The actors feel immersive, and watching real stories of societal outsiders (for lack of a better term) from similar periods really reflect how well the actors themselves did to add to the tone of the movie. I felt a connection with them, and it also hit on a very nostalgic spot of my life, with the early internet days, but also adding a very strange feeling with the overarching sense of voyeurism that comes with it, while also feeling connected to other people. This is even more exemplified by the confessionals expressed through the movie.

In a conclusion of that, it feels very realistic to me. It's not a film full of glamorous people living glamorous lives where amazing things happen to them and they learn something, it's average people living their life and it feels incredibly personal.

A smaller delight in it, if you're a visual kei fan, you'll notice several references to that subculture in the early 00s. (I believe there's some Dir En Grey cosplayers in the background you can spot, and I believe one scene is on that one infamous bridge cosplayers liked to hang out on.)

I don't tend to rewatch movies often, but I've seen it twice within a 6 month span, and I would definitely credit it to one of my personal influences. I originally created this account because I realized this movie didn't have a parental guide, not planning to ever review it personally, but I really hope my review inspires at least one other person to see the value in this strange film.