Informator uniwersytecki

Plan 75

Japan has always been a leader at ageing faster than any other country in the world, at the same time – being proud of one of the highest life expectancies on the planet. That is happening through the lifestyle strongly related to diet which abounds in vegetables, fruit and seafood. There is also a lot of healthy exercise and daily chores.

The provoking, experimental film ‘Plan 75’ was attempted – which might appear a nightmarish horror to the unprepared viewer. The picture – ‘a quasi-documentary’ – exposes a truly hard and sad reality of the senile world of Japan which is far from ideal where seniors who live in poverty, without families are unable to afford institutional care. So according to a fictitious idea of the movie which was set instantly at the beginning – there’s a plan you might join – ‘Plan 75’ which offers a grant for citizens of 75 years of age if they choose assisted euthanasia.

One of the seniors in the movie is Michi, a 78-year-old lady, still in good health but with bad financial situation. She has lost her job as a cleaner at a hotel and her apartment building will be demolished. In a moment, she will have no place to live, no income, no security, and no future. Seemingly everywhere around her, ‘Plan 75’ is constantly advertised by luring infomercials while she confronts long lines of old and poor people queuing for a free bowl of hot soup, or asking for shelter or any help.

One has to keep it in mind that there is no ‘Plan 75’ in reality but the movie does not allow you to do so due to suggestive scenes, tearful conversations and heart breaking moments.

You could only wish all these ideas would all remain in the bad dream sphere.

Credits: ‘Plan 75’, Chie Hayakawa, 2022