Tokyo Festival Premiere “Blonde” Takes Aim at Japan’s Outdated School Rules

A new Japanese film is challenging the country’s strict education system. “Blonde” premieres this week in competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The movie is directed by rising filmmaker Yuichiro Sakashita.

It centers on a teacher whose life unravels when his students protest. They dye their hair blonde against restrictive school hair policies. The story is a sharp satire on generational divides and institutional conformity.

Inspired by Real-Life “Black Hair” Controversies

The film’s premise is rooted in recent Japanese history. According to reports, Sakashita was inspired by real “black kōsoku” debates. These are harsh, outdated school rules that clash with modern values.

One major case involved a student suing her school. She was forced to dye her naturally light brown hair black. This legal battle became a national talking point and sparked the director’s interest.

A “Coming of Middle-Age” Story for a Modern Japan

Sakashita describes the film as an “adult coming-of-age” comedy. The protagonist is a 30-year-old teacher, not the rebelling students. He is portrayed as apathetic and insecure, caught between enforcing rules he doesn’t believe in and his desire to be seen as “cool” by the younger generation.

The director says this character reflects a fear common among his peers. He wanted to explore the anxiety of becoming out-of-touch. The film satirizes this lack of self-awareness in a rapidly changing society.

Thought you’d like to know-

What is the film “Blonde” about?

“Blonde” is a Japanese satire about junior high students who stage a hair-dye protest. Their rebellion against strict school rules forces their teacher to confront his own apathy. The incident quickly gains national attention through social media.

Who directed the movie?

The film was directed by Yuichiro Sakashita. He is known for his 2022 political farce “The Sunday Runoff.” This new work continues his focus on social commentary through comedy.

Is “Blonde” based on a true story?

Yes, it was inspired by real debates in Japan over “black kōsoku.” These are outdated school regulations, including one case where a student was forced to dye her hair. The film uses this as a starting point for its narrative.

What does blonde hair symbolize in the film?

In Japan’s school system, any hair color other than black is often seen as rebellious. Blonde hair was chosen for its visual impact and because it triggers the most extreme reaction from authority figures. It represents a direct challenge to rigid, unquestioned rules.

Why did the director focus on a teacher as the main character?

Sakashita found it more interesting to explore the perspective of an adult. The teacher must enforce rules he may not agree with, creating internal conflict. This creates a “coming of middle-age” story about finding conviction later in life.