{"id":18821,"date":"2023-09-24T20:27:12","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T00:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=18821"},"modified":"2023-12-12T03:41:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T08:41:54","slug":"aca-cinema-project-tea-friends-a-place-in-the-sun-for-third-age-sex","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/?p=18821","title":{"rendered":"ACA Cinema Project: Tea Friends, A Place In The Sun For Third Age Sex"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this year\u2019s line-up for the ACA Cinema Project Japan<\/a> there is a film with a curious story, inspired by a twenty-year-old who created a groundbreaking escort service for the elderly.<\/p>\n

The film, written and directed by Bunji Sotoyama, is subtle in reverting power roles. Older generations used to boss around young people, whereas in this story Generation Z is in control, using boomers as workforce. The strategy is very cunning, because the advertisement in the newspaper isn\u2019t too explicit. It states that there is a service that provides \u201cfriends for tea.\u201d What happens next, is that elderly \u201ctea girls\u201d are sent to the men who respond. The young team members, who coordinate the appointments, promote their activity by saying they \u201carrange social connections and develop networks.<\/i>\u201d The business thrives, since the premise that is shown to us is how the elderly in Japan feel abandoned and long for a moment of affection and consideration. Sex becomes therapeutic and having grandmas for call girls is also convenient to avoid unwanted pregnancies.<\/p>\n

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Bunji Sotoyama is not new to the topic of third age narratives, since his 2010 On This Side<\/i><\/b> was a heart-wrenching tale about an old man caring for his disabled wife. The short film won five honours including Best Short Film at the Monaco International Film Festival.<\/p>\n

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Tea Friends <\/i><\/b>begins with a blissful and light-hearted tone, as Mana (Rei Okamoto) \u2014 a former sex worker turned into CEO \u2014 leads her company and empathetically coordinates the elderly ladies. Mana embraces this job as a mission and firmly believes that \u201ceverybody is so brainwashed by rules and morality that they\u2019re all unhappy<\/i>,\u201d therefore \u201crighteousness is not happiness.<\/i>\u201d<\/p>\n

Tea time is served with a few blue pills. If in the eyes of the masses this service may be seen as a prostitution racket, its founder and employees like to see themselves as \u201cpioneers of a new lifestyle<\/i>\u201d and \u201chome helpers in a broad sense.<\/i>\u201d As a matter of fact it is not only the steam and passion, that occurs under the sheets, that benefits both the clients and sex workers. Emotional gratification is crucial.<\/p>\n

As the narrative unfolds what emerges is how Mana\u2019s loneliness seems to be narcotised by her dedication to comforting those around her. In fact, the mood of the storytelling gradually changes as we discover Mana\u2019s family situation, as well as when she lets a new escort in her company: Matsuko (Maki Isonishi). This woman is on the verge of ending her twilight years when Mana offers her a new opportunity. Matsuko not only accepts and enjoys the change, but she becomes a motherly figure to her employer.<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, Bunji Sotoyama\u2019s film gracefully unravels several other existences. Mana has created a family for young wretched souls like herself. For instance there is Chika (Kainuma Miu), who finds out she\u2019s pregnant, but her boyfriend doesn\u2019t want to acknowledge the baby; and there is Yoshiki (Suzuki Takeru), who reproaches his father for having given up a steady job, to pursue his dream of opening a bakery and failing miserably. Also the various elderly escorts are part of this extended family, as they embrace a second chance in life. They are committed to their roles of pleasure-givers and aspire to be number one on the popularity rankings. However all good things come to an end. An unexpected circumstance changes the destinies of the entire group forever. The bonds that were once unshakeable turn out to be brittle. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tea Friends<\/i><\/b> is ultimately an investigation into sentimental lifelong commitments that go astray. Friendships, just like romantic partnerships, can be shattered by betrayal and egotism. Human connections are as fragile as necessary to existence.<\/p>\n

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This further explains the success of Mana\u2019s business, since it allows \u2014 through sex of course \u2014 the forgotten elderly to feel considered and alive.<\/p>\n

Bunji Sotoyama presents a parable that embraces all nations and people and their need for connection. The feeling of home, for any culture, comes when someone expresses care, whether through a cup of tea, a moment of promiscuity, or both.<\/p>\n

In fact, even though the film is set in Japan, the lyrics to the American song, Tea For Two<\/i> \u2014 by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar, part of the musical No, No, Nanette<\/i> \u2014 would have been incredibly fitting: \u201cI\u2019m discontented with homes that are rented so I have invented my own. Darling this place is a lover\u2019s oasis where life\u2019s weary chase is unknown. Far from the cry of the city, where flowers pretty caress the streams, Cozy to hide in, to love side-by-side in. Don\u2019t let it abide in my dreams. Picture you upon my knee, Just tea for two and two for tea, Me for you and you for me alone\u2026<\/i>\u201d<\/p>\n

Final Grade: B<\/p>\n

Check out more of Chiara\u2019s articles<\/a>.<\/p>\n