Abe, Kumi, and Kazuki work as hosts at the New Marilyn Club in Tokyo. They identify as onabe, a term for non-binary or transgender men. The film documents their romantic relationships with young women who frequent the club. It covers their interactions with parents and their individual understandings of gender. Each man faces societal pressures related to marriage and family, impacting their romantic lives. "Shinjuku Boys" was directed by Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams and runs for 53 minutes.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

Meet Abe, Kumi, and Kazuki at the New Marilyn Club.
Find out about onabe identity in Tokyo's LGBT scene.
See the impact of family relationships on gender expression.

Did You Know

Shinjuku Boys won Outstanding Documentary at the 1995 San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
The film received a Silver Hugo Prize at the 1995 Chicago International Film Festival.
Shinjuku Boys has a runtime of 53 minutes.
The film was released by Second Run DVD in 2010 and received positive reviews.

Perfect For

LGBTQ+ representationTransgender narrativesJapanese culture

Read full Deep Dive →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the term used by the protagonists in Shinjuku Boys to describe themselves?

The term used by the protagonists is onabe.

What awards did Shinjuku Boys win in 1995?

In 1995, Shinjuku Boys won Outstanding Documentary at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, a Silver Hugo Prize at the Chicago International Film Festival, and a Gold Prize at the Houston Film Festival.

Who directed Shinjuku Boys?

Shinjuku Boys was directed by Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams.

Awards & Festivals

Chicago International Film Festival

1995 • Award

IDFA International Documentary Festival Amsterdam

1995 • Official selection

San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

1995 • Award

Awards & Festivals

Comments

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