In Black Box Diaries, everyone navigates the line between victim, perpetrator and bystander. The question is, which role do you play?

Black Box Diaries (2024) is the directorial debut of journalist Shiori Ito, who investigates her own rape case against high-profile journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi.

Based on her memoir, Black Box (2017), the film chronicles eight years of fighting for justice. Beginning when Ito was assaulted by Yamaguchi at the age of 25, we witness real time reactions during legal battles which conclude when she’s 33.

A profound addition to #MeToo cinema, Black Box Diaries provides a unique perspective, showcasing Ito as both the subject and investigator of her own case. Ito’s case brought global attention to sexual assault laws in Japan.

Ito’s story reveals a sobering truth: justice for rape survivors can only exist if the justice system believes women.

Just as feminism requires acknowledgment of sexism, justice for sexual violence survivors requires institutions to believe victims. In examining her own trauma, Ito highlights the emotional toll of the process. Her journey illustrates that self-advocacy is an essential first step in the fight for equality.

Ito’s story highlights how police, legal officials and even rape victim helplines routinely dismiss her to protect those in power. She meticulously exposes the apathy embedded in Japan’s law enforcement and government.

Black Box Diaries interrogates the bystander effect, arguing that those who remain neutral contribute to systemic injustice by upholding the status quo. Ito illustrates that by treating sexual violence cases as inconsequential, society fails survivors.

Speaking to a global audience, Black Box Diaries forces viewers to confront their own role as bystanders in rape culture.

Ito asks the audience, “Are you a victim, perpetrator or bystander?” She invites the viewers to consider our roles in harmful systems.

A recurring theme in the film is the passage of time.

Editing effectively contrasts the quick pace of media coverage with the slow grind of the judicial system. As Ito leaves and returns to her tiny apartment, the seasons change and time passes, but she’s still grappling with the same unresolved issues. In one poignant moment, she notices the cherry blossoms in bloom – realising she had avoided appreciating them in the intervening years because her assault took place during cherry blossom season.

Black Box Diaries reveals the toll this fight has on Ito and her loved ones, with the audience witnessing her daily struggles – coming to appreciate both her resilience as a survivor of sexual violence and her courage as a journalist. Ito’s resilience is admirable, standing out as part of a broader suite of #MeToo films that take seriously the accusations of women against powerful men.

Ito’s strength of character is central to her fight against the legal system, with her persistence driving the case forward. She displays incredible warmth and humour amidst the horrors. She lightens heavy moments with jokes, pointing out small beauties in the world around her. She is a figure of unwavering courage who refuses to let society’s indifference dictate her story.

Black Box Diaries is an emotional gut-punch. Ito’s story is a wake-up call for audiences worldwide to question what side of justice they sit on. Raw, urgent, and hopeful, this is a must-see documentary.

Black Box Diaries screens on Wednesday 30 October at 6:00 pm at the Piccadilly