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‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’: Masterpieces from a pioneering gay director

A pioneering director of gay-themed films, Ryosuke Hashiguchi has resisted pigeonholing. His midcareer masterpieces ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’ portrayed both members of Japan’s LGBTQ+ community and a wider slice of contemporary life.

By Mark Schilling·Jul 24·japantimes.co.jp·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Ryosuke Hashiguchi’s ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’ are masterpieces that portrayed both members of Japan’s LGBTQ+ community and a wider slice of contemporary life. The films are now in theaters, offering a chance to reassess Hashiguchi’s vision as well as changes in Japanese society since early in the millennium.

Why it matters

The films are a chance to reassess Hashiguchi’s vision as well as changes in Japanese society since early in the millennium. They also offer a unique perspective on the LGBTQ+ community in Japan.

Ryosuke Hashiguchi is a director who makes films about the LGBTQ+ community in Japan. His movies, ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’, show how people in this community live and feel. They are like a window into a different world, and help us understand and accept people who are different from us.

Analysis

A Pioneering Director's Vision

Ryosuke Hashiguchi is a pioneering director of gay-themed films informed by his own experiences as an out gay man. His midcareer masterpieces ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’ portrayed both members of Japan’s LGBTQ+ community and a wider slice of contemporary life, with a focus on oddballs, misfits and, in the latter film, criminals. The films are now in theaters, offering a chance to reassess Hashiguchi’s vision as well as changes in Japanese society since early in the millennium.

Changes in Japanese Society

Since early in the millennium, Japanese society has undergone significant changes. The country has become more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, with more people openly identifying as gay or lesbian. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of equality and acceptance. Hashiguchi’s films offer a unique perspective on this changing society, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Significance of ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’

‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’ are not just films about the LGBTQ+ community, but also about the human condition. They explore themes of love, loss, and identity, which are universal and relatable. The films have been praised for their nuanced and realistic portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community, and have helped to raise awareness and promote acceptance of the community in Japan.

Key points

  • Ryosuke Hashiguchi is a pioneering director of gay-themed films informed by his own experiences as an out gay man.
  • His midcareer masterpieces ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’ portrayed both members of Japan’s LGBTQ+ community and a wider slice of contemporary life.
  • The films are now in theaters, offering a chance to reassess Hashiguchi’s vision as well as changes in Japanese society since early in the millennium.
  • ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’ are not just films about the LGBTQ+ community, but also about the human condition.
  • The films have been praised for their nuanced and realistic portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community, and have helped to raise awareness and promote acceptance of the community in Japan.
The Upside

The release of ‘Hush!’ and ‘All Around Us’ in theaters offers a chance to reassess Hashiguchi’s vision as well as changes in Japanese society since early in the millennium. It also promotes awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Japan.

The Downside

There is still a long way to go in terms of equality and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Japan. Hashiguchi’s films may not change the minds of everyone, but they can help to raise awareness and promote acceptance of the community.

Originally reported at

japantimes.co.jp

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsfilmlgbtqjapanryosuke-hashiguchihushall-around-us

Author

Mark Schilling

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 24, 2026

Source

japantimes.co.jp

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Topics

filmlgbtqjapanryosuke-hashiguchihushall-around-us

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