Many professions bring sacrifices, but few individuals surrender like Japanese idols. Idols have been a hybrid of pop stars, teen models and influencers for decades and have been the backbone of Japanese pop culture, ubiquitous on screens in the country, billboards, billboards and shopping mall sound systems. But this problematic power dynamic in the rich innocent industry has begun to be reviewed in Japan and abroad.

Japanese director Koji Fukada, who won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Award in 2016 for his fascinating thriller harmonyreturn to Croisette this week Love in judgmenta social drama that tries to deprive the smooth surface of idol culture of its troubling dynamics.

Fokada told Hollywood Reporter. "This project stems from my own discomfort and a sense of contradiction to idol culture, but my intention is not to deny or condemn it entirely. I want to question the system without ignoring the efforts of young women who dream of being idols."

In Japan, the standardization of idol culture is so that its regressive elements are often overlooked. Every year, institutions conduct large-scale auditions and open reconnaissance campaigns to recruit new faces – often teenage girls. Once signed by an agency, girls get caught up in a strict training program and submit a strict contract to determine their appearance, behavior and personal life. These institutions then market the idols as innocent Paragons to a majority male, older fan base who rewards their appearance, perceived purity and emotional accessibility rather than their limited skills as popular performers. Crucially, these girls must agree to the “Don’t Love” clause in the contract and provide that they are prohibited from creating any romantic relationship in their personal lives. This mandatory purity creates the possibility of a highly profitable "parasite" economy in which fans (mostly older) are once again sold in close relationships with Xiaoxing.

Idols appear in handshake events, fan parties and livestreams, where they exud a artificial intimacy with loyal fans. Institutions encourage this bond fantasy while controlling almost every aspect of the idol’s real life. Not surprisingly, problems arise regularly: cases of suicide, suicide and mental health issues among talents with idol abuse, harassment behaviors and even violence.

Love in judgment Following the story of Mai (Kyoko Umai), a rising J-Pop idol who, when she falls in love, cheats on her ascension, breaches the "no relationship" clause of the contract. After her romantic exposure, Mai finds that she is not only insulted by the fan base, but also faces a real-life court battle as her agency sues her for compensation.

Fukada said the idea for the film comes from two actual cases in Japan where the idol was sued for a similar contract violation. "In one case, the court ruled that the provision violated human rights. But in another case, the governing body won. This contrast is very convincing and shows the inconsistency and insolvency of the ideas surrounding these issues in Japan."

Although its subject seems to be inflammatory, Love in judgment Some recent works by Fukada, such as harmony Or his 2023 Venice Tournament Entry Love lifeboth of which explore grief and family trauma in extreme ways. Fokada said it was intentional, and it was part of the desire to attract mainstream Japanese audiences with his criticism.

"The early draft of the script had a bigger ending, but we ended up choosing that tone because I think it better reflects the complexity of the problem," Fokada explained.

The development of the project began in 2016, but due to the sensitivity of its subject, it faces various financing and production challenges in the process. "Casting is a major obstacle," Fokada explained. "Many actresses and former idols rejected us because of the potentially vital stance of the film. But when we were finally able to play Kyoko Umai (herself a former idol who was once a great follower), the project did come to life last spring." The project also counted several devout idol fans on its creative team: "My producer, screenwriter and several assistant directors," which built credibility within the idol world.

Love in judgment Produced by Toho, a Japanese entertainment powerhouse and Toho, one of the country’s largest idol talent employers. Fukada called the studio's involvement "very meaningful", given the censorship of the film's status at the heart of the film.

He added: "I want to send a message to young audiences (especially girls) that there is room to question and challenge the system and that their dreams should not be determined by outdated structures. But, ultimately, I hope each audience will be able to draw their own conclusions."