The 2019 Tokachi Tsuchiya documentary An Ant Strikes Back (アリ地獄天国) has won the second biennial University of Pittsburgh Japan Documentary Film Award, it was announced on the 14th. A synopsis, from Nippon Connection:
More than 5,000 people died from the ramifications of overworking in Japan between 2006 and 2017 – and this is only the official number. Rarely do Japanese employees stand up against exploitative working conditions, since the social pressure is too high. In his documentary, Tokachi TSUCHIYA follows the case of a moving company sales agent who decides to no longer accept illegal employment contract clauses and a humiliating work environment. Initially being just like an ant among others, he joins a labor union and fights not only for his own rights, but for the rights of all “ants” in Japan’s workforce.The Nanako Hirose film Book-Paper-Scissors (つつんで、ひらいて) claimed Honorable Mention. A ceremony was planned prior to COVID-19 shutdowns, though it remains to be seen what events will celebrate the 2020 award.
