In the world of Hollywood, gay and lesbian characters have struggled to escape the stigma of being portrayed as villainous or immoral. In Japan, LGBTQ representation in film has improved in recent years, but often still falls into the same trope of shallow relationships and sex. However, director Daishi Matsunaga’s new film “Egoist” is a refreshing change. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Makoto Takayama, the film explores the complexities of love and relationships through the eyes of a gay fashion magazine editor and his personal trainer.
At the heart of “Egoist” is the relationship between Kosuke, a 30-something editor, and Ryuta, his boyish personal trainer. The film opens with an explicitly erotic scene, but as the relationship progresses, the story takes a much deeper turn. When Ryuta abruptly breaks things off, confessing that he has been a sex worker, Kosuke offers a monthly stipend to help him quit his side hustle. The film then delves into the complex motivations behind Kosuke’s altruism and the meaning of the film’s title, “Egoist.”
Director Daishi Matsunaga’s intimate direction and actor Ryohei Suzuki’s committed performance bring the film to life. While the film’s R-15 rating makes it explicit in its depiction of the relationship between Kosuke and Ryuta, it is a much more nuanced and emotional exploration of love and relationships. The film challenges the idea that LGBTQ relationships are shallow and erases the stigma surrounding gay representation in Japanese film. “Egoist” is a triumph for LGBTQ representation in Japan and a must-see for those seeking a more nuanced and authentic portrayal of same-sex relationships on screen.
