37 Seconds (2019)

Thoughtful tale of self discovery

37 seconds centers around the life of Yuma, who has cerebral palsy. The story is very well written and touches many aspects of what it means to have a disability. Even though some happenings might seem over the top, the story still feels real and for the whole duration you're feeling with the main character. All the characters over different reactions to her disabilities and the director manages to showcase a positive movie that doesn't highlight the negativity of the disability and instead shows Yuma's journey to self discovery and independence.
The movie has its funny moments and touching ones as well. While the theme of erotic mangas might seem funny and weird, it's usage as a starting point for Yuma is well done.
The acting is very well and considering it is the first work of the lead actress, thanks to the script and production process, her character feels natural. The story was adjusted to the actress who has cerebral palsy in real life and contributed to the narrative of the movie by providing insides to her own experience.
I truly enjoyed the movie and can totally understand, why it won prices and the applause of the audience when it was first shown in a film festival.

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Don't Treat Me Like I'm Broken

Yuma Takada is a 23-year-old woman who suffers from cerebral palsey. However, she is also an extremely talented manga artist and writer. An arrangement is made with her friend, as they publish a well-known manga series, but her friend, Sayakara gets all of the credit (despite not being an artist or a writer) even though Yuma gets some payment for the job.

Yuma lives with her loving but overprotective mother who treats her more like a 10-year-old. She doesn't like Yuma going out on her own or wearing dresses as "there are too many creeps out there."

Having had enough of the oppressive lifestyle where she is used and abused, she attempts to fight for her independence. Finding some discarded adult manga books, she calls the various publishers to find out if they have job-openings. She's called into the offices of one, asking that she submit her work. Having had no sexual experiences of her own, Yuma's asked to come back when she has some so that her stories will be more authentic and realistic.

Yuma tries in vain to acquire some sexual experiences by going down to the red-light district on her own. Of course, things don't go as she planned, but she does meet a high-priced escort in Mai, who encourages her to live and enjoy life. Mai ends up being Yuma's window of opportunity toward a life of freedom as she is arguably the first person to treat her as a normal human being.

This drives a deeper and wider wedge between Yuma and her mother, who finds out what Yuma has been doing. Yuma eventually runs away but is taken in by Toshi, Mai's driver. Yuma decides to try and find the father that she never knew, and in doing so, finds yet another family member she had no knowledge of. This also gives the viewer the answer to the significance of 37 seconds, which is revealed in a beautiful scene.

People are often uncomfortable when dealing with people with disabilities, not realizing that they are people just like anyone else. They have the same thoughts, dreams, feelings, and goals. But most people treat them as though they are broken. We end up cheering for Yuma as she fights for her own freedom with as much determination as when she's forced to crawl across the floor in order to get from one place to another. The point is, she can do it. She can do many things if people would simply give her the opportunity.

This is one of the most delightful films I've seen in a while that is completely character-driven. Actress Mei Kayama gives us a Yuma who as the voice of pure sweetness and the heart of a lion. She doesn't want protection. She wants to live and be who she is, and who has the right to keep her (or anyone!) from fulfilling her goals?

The film iis heartfelt, but it isn't bogged down in melodrama or at risk of being too sentimental because the goal isn't to make the viewer feel sorry for Yuma. The goal is to make the viewer cheer Yuma on, and writer-director Hikari gives us that kind of a movie.

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"We're just like everybody else"

37 Seconds was billed as a sexual liberation story for a young woman with cerebral palsy. While the film acknowledged that Yuma had desires like any other woman, for a film often set in the red-light district it was surprisingly chaste. This was a coming of age film as Yuma sought to break free from her mother's control and explore the world that couldn't see her as a real woman.

Twenty-three-year-old Yuma leads an insular and highly controlled life. She works as a manga artist for her friend, Sayaka. What the world doesn’t know is that Sayaka can’t draw or write stories, Yuma does it all. Sayaka merely plays the part on YouTube and keeps Yuma a well-guarded secret. At home, her mother cares for and treats her like a child refusing to let her have long hair, use makeup, or wear dresses. When Yuma attempts to sell a manga idea she’s told to stop copying Sayaka’s work and be unique. She ends up at an erotica manga publication. The editor likes her work but tells her she needs some sexual experience to understand what they want. Yuma starts breaking free from her mother and Sayaka when she meets sex worker Mai and her assistant Toshi on a trip to the red-light district. Her new friends encourage her to explore what she likes and not be afraid to try new experiences. Advice her mother will absolutely not agree with.

This film was decidedly aided by hiring Kayama Mei, a woman who has cerebral palsy, instead of an actress mimicking what she thinks CP looks like. Kayama with her delicate voice showed Yuma's resolve as she fought to live her life for herself. Yuma wanted to be seen and heard, something her mother was afraid of. A gifted artist she was closeted away by her “friend.” The film bestowed Yuma with enormously helpful new friends which may not have been realistic but they provided her a gateway to independence. There were a couple of adult moments if you are sensitive to such subjects, when Yuma attempted to hire a sex worker and later when she and Mai visited a sex toy shop. Films about people with handicaps can be condescending and patronizing. 37 Seconds managed to avoid those pitfalls. Soft spoken Yuma demonstrated to herself and others that she was strong and despite her physical limitations, she was just like everyone else. Her transformation as she gained confidence was beautiful to watch. I loved Mai’s words to her, “You’ve taken a big step. Better not f*ck it up.” Of course, most of do on occasion whatever our life circumstances.

Yuma made friends, carved out a professional path for herself, gained independence, and even had an adventure to Thailand. She learned that sometimes you need to know where you’ve been in order to figure out where you want to go. 37 Seconds can be gone in an instant or its effects can last a lifetime. The memory of this tender, unique coming of age film will linger far longer than the title.

13 August 2024

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I came across this film randomly trying to find something to watch while I removed my braids... I honestly cried a lot watching this-- I hated how her "friend" treated her and took all the credit for the manga. Sayaka treated Yuma like a secret and didn't even let her go to like fan signs... I was so happy when she quitted. Another person I hated how they would treat Yuma was her mother... I got that she was being protective BUT she hide so much fucking shit from her and didn't let her do shit. I loved Mai and I am so glad her and Yuma met. She treated her soooo much better than both the mom and friend. I lost my train of thought and will come back to this

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We are like everybody else.

Kudos to Kayama Mei, which did great job portraying Yuma Takada, a 23 years old girl born with cerebral palsy, working as assistant of rising mangaka star Sayaka.

N O T  S P O I L E R  F R E E / N O  M A J O R  S P O I L E R S

Yuma doesn't have it easy because her disability and how everyone treats her because of it. Especially her overprotective mother and her fake snake friend Sayaka, that is just using her.

Tired of everything, she tries to get her own work published, just to be told to get some experience first. The manga is an exotic one and Yuma was never before intimate with anyone.

This starts her journey to getting know herself better. Herself, and her family too.

You don't see this topic in Japanese movies too often and it was such breath of fresh air. Disability in people is often treated the wrong way, people are being used, because they can't defend themselves, often ridiculed and misunderstood for something that is not their fault.

I think most of us witnessed such behavior through our lives, maybe some of us were unintentionally doing some things wrong ourselves. That's up to each of us to decide.

Also, if you are gonna watch this movie expecting something raunchy, then don't. The sex in this movie is being freely discussed, but is really not the main point of the story.

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“37 Seconds” gives us a rare, authentic; not to mention, beautiful view

A few seconds into the film, you can already see how independent and strong our protagonist is. Yuma doesn’t let her condition get in her way. She can take the train to work and back home. Yes, our Yuma works as a manga artist or a “mangaka”.

She is very talented and her view of the world is amazing. Writer, director and producer Hikari made sure we see what’s on her mind. Whenever Yuma imagines a storyline and starts drawing, the audience is given passage through the world she is creating. I was compelled at one point and wanted to know more about that alien species.

Sadly, her view of the world isn’t enough.

In the story, Yuma isn’t exactly limited by her condition. She doesn’t even deprive herself. It just so happens the people around her wanted control.

One obstacle is the so-called friend she works with or rather for. Yuma is the one with great talent but is limited because she is being used. Another obstacle is her mother. Don’t get me wrong. This obstacle is a beautiful one, the type that will strengthen you.

Being the cute and persistent Yuma, she broke free and experienced what every person should. She experienced life at every turn. She met new people, made new friends, got drunk and had fun. Through that journey, she also found herself and in the end understood, accepted and returned back home.

Yes, I’m keeping a lot of details because it’s too pure and I want you to personally see it. As mentioned, “37 Seconds” is now streaming on Netflix. With what’s going on in the world at this moment, I’m pretty sure you can spare a little time for this beautiful film.

And in case you are wondering why “37 Seconds”, here’s a quote from the film.

It was 37 seconds. That’s how long I didn’t breathe after I was born. If I’d been born first, Yuka might have ended up like me. If I’d started breathing even one second sooner, maybe I’d be like her. I’d be free just like her. But I’m glad it was me. – Yuma

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