The Contestant is now streaming on Hulu.
By Greg Wheeler
The new Hulu documentary The Contestant explores the dark side of reality TV by focusing on one of the earliest reality shows in Japan, highlighting the ethical and moral dilemmas that can arise in the genre. The film tells the story of Tomoaki Hamatsu, also known as Nasubi, who was lured into participating in the Japanese show Denpa Shonen: A Life in Prizes without fully understanding what he was getting into.
A Life in Prizes was a Japanese TV show created by producer Toshio Tsuchiya. The show involved isolating Nasubi for 15 months and making him survive solely by winning sweepstakes. He was stripped of his clothes and confined to a small studio apartment, living off whatever prizes he could win.
Nasubi faced immense mental and physical challenges as he fought to survive in this confined space, unaware that millions of viewers in Japan were watching his ordeal for entertainment. Toshio had kept Nasubi in the dark about the live-streaming aspect of the show and the fact that he was part of a human psychology experiment.
Through archival footage and interviews with both Nasubi and Toshio, The Contestant reveals the disturbing nature of the show. Nasubi emerges as a vulnerable figure manipulated by the show, while Toshio attempts to justify his approach as revolutionary for television. While Nasubi struggled in isolation, his mental health declining, Toshio reveled in the show’s success.
Toshio acknowledges his role as the “devil” in this story, but his reasoning for subjecting Nasubi to such an ordeal is difficult to comprehend. In contrast, Nasubi’s charm and resilience make him a sympathetic protagonist whose struggle tugs at the heartstrings.
The documentary gains momentum in the first half, as it explores Nasubi’s journey and his eventual realization of the truth about the show. However, the narrative loses focus as it shifts toward Nasubi’s life after the show and his attempts to move forward. The film could have delved deeper into the emotional toll Nasubi experienced and the ethical questions raised by his treatment.
The film also falls short in addressing the full extent of the unethical treatment Nasubi endured during his time on the show. He had not signed a contract or agreed to have his naked body exposed to the world, nor did he expect to lose 15 months of his life.
Despite these criticisms, The Contestant sheds light on the manipulative practices of reality television and the questionable actions of those in the industry. While it effectively exposes the exploitation of Nasubi and the nature of reality TV, the documentary could have made a stronger impact by examining the broader implications of Nasubi’s experience. Nonetheless, it remains a thought-provoking exploration of the lengths reality TV producers will go to in the pursuit of ratings.
I give The Contestant a B-.
TV and City 