Content Warning: transphobia
The Fish with One Sleeve (片袖の魚) by director Tsuyoshi Shoji is a film about a Japanese trans woman returning to her hometown to see old friends. The film, amazingly, captures some quintessential queer experiences in this visually compelling narrative in its short 34 minute run time.
Drawing on Lived Experiences
The main character, Hikari, played by trans actress Ishizuka Yu, is an aquarium tank seller and maintenance staff member. Early on in the film, she experiences a moment of bigotry by a client; a transphobic comment followed by tittering laughter. For many a queer person, this moment is a lived experience, something reflective of current national debates around the world. It calls to mind newly promulgated laws or bans being made in schools.
There are moments in The Fish with One Sleeve that hit where it hurts, but not in a way depicted as overtly violent or aggressive. This film is brilliant in visually portraying the unintended maliciousness of the people around the main character. The dialogue within the film is so excruciatingly familiar to how people will ask direct and often rude questions without any thought to their impact.
As Hikari travels back to her hometown, the anxiety rises within the audience as she goes to meet her old friends. Her nerves also ring true. We watch as she mentally prepares herself to go see these people. They do not really know her. They have their old image of who she is. Would they be accepting of her or not?
As a genderqueer bisexual who has rarely been able to get anyone from my past to refer to me with a “they” pronoun, the scene where she reunites with her old friends struck a chord of grief inside of me. Hikari tries her best to explain where she is coming from without any anger or hostility. Her gentle way of communicating is a move that many an LGBTQIA+ person will find relatable.
All too often we find ourselves having to explain even basic terminology or queer experiences to those who have little to no basis with us. Usually, we intend all of this effort for people who want to truly care and know about us. All too often, we find ourselves disappointed.
The Universal Feeling of Isolation
Additionally, there are moments during the film where the camera stops and lingers so that you can still feel the visceral impact of her isolation. When a person is so othered by those around them, there is a prevailing sense that you are indeed one fish alone, swimming along with no one there to understand you.
The finale of the film is not a grand victory, but it does bring a sense of closure. It does not wipe away all of Hikari’s troubles with narrow-minded people. Instead, the ending gives the audience a sense that this particular chapter of her life is coming to a close. Sometimes, that is all a story needs to be, an end to one step of a journey.
The authenticity of this film succeeds in no small part to the fact that it was made by LGBTQIA+ people behind the scenes. The director Tsuyoshi is openly bisexual, and he purposefully auditioned trans actors for this role, a first in Japan. The film is a testament to the current movement of putting queer creators at the helm. They can really dig into the lived experiences of their community and bring them to life.
After a viewing at Amaranth Lounge in Daikanyama, I discussed that going back home scene with the director. Tsuyoshi said, “I wanted the film to be felt by everyone. We can all know some of these feelings of going back home, and we can understand that pain [as LGBTQ people]. But I also want cisgender people to understand it, too.”
After all loneliness, isolation, and not being understood are universal feelings. Everyone has moments in their lives where they feel like they are swimming alone, and this film manages to beautifully capture such a moment in time.
You can see the trailer for The Fish with One Sleeve here!
Follow the film’s Twitter account or go to the official website for a viewing near you!
