Black Box Diaries

Powerful doc considering much of the footage is “hidden camera” and novice cell footage and audio. It captures a lot of important moments. There were a few times when the audience is left hanging about things but overall an admirable and emotional film.

I prepared myself for so much before going into the theater but I did not expect to cry at the very first moment. The trigger warning, hand written by Shiori herself, was firm, gentle, honest, and brave, and it captured the essence of the film perfectly. Shiori Ito tried, and is still trying, so hard to do good. She’s done so much more. This was not a film that was trying to go for shock factor or tear jerkers. It didn’t need to. The bare minimum was horrifying enough, infuriating enough, heartbreaking enough. It was also inspiring. She didn’t have to be inspiring. She didn’t have to be calm, collected, gentle, or even brave, but she was, and she is still. No human should have gone through what she went through, but countless people do. To think of all the people who went through this, who are GOING through this. The importance of this film represents what she stood for and what kept her going for all those years. It’s her way of surviving, and to make sense out of the aftermath of this one crime that should forever and under no circumstances be forgiven.

This story is so emotional that it continues to resonate to this day. I had the honor of meeting her and her friend, who helps her film her journey. Despite feeling defenseless due to others, she managed to lift herself and make a powerful statement. Her bravery is inspiring!!

I prepared myself for so much before going into the theater but I did not expect to cry at the very first moment. The trigger warning, hand written by Shiori herself, was firm, gentle, honest, and brave, and it captured the essence of the film perfectly. Shiori Ito tried, and is still trying, so hard to do good. She’s done so much more. This was not a film that was trying to go for shock factor or tear jerkers. It didn’t need to. The bare minimum was horrifying enough, infuriating enough, heartbreaking enough. It was also inspiring. She didn’t have to be inspiring. She didn’t have to be calm, collected, gentle, or even brave, but she was, and she is still. No human should have gone through what she went through, but countless people do. To think of all the people who went through this, who are GOING through this. The importance of this film represents what she stood for and what kept her going for all those years. It’s her way of surviving, and to make sense out of the aftermath of this one crime that should forever and under no circumstances be forgiven.

This story is so emotional that it continues to resonate to this day. I had the honor of meeting her and her friend, who helps her film her journey. Despite feeling defenseless due to others, she managed to lift herself and make a powerful statement. Her bravery is inspiring!!

4/5