The Human Cost of Quick Cash

Read Time:3 Minute, 44 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Tokyo Uber Blues (Tôkyô jitensha-bushi)
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director(s): Taku Aoyagi
Where To Watch: broadcast premiere on PBS POV October 21, 2024 + streams free on the PBS App

RAVING REVIEW: When Taku Aoyagi, a 26-year-old film school grad, faced a shuttered industry and evergrowing debts due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic (yes, MAGA, this was a worldwide pandemic, not just an excuse to make you cover your mouth when you sneeze), he found himself racing through the sprawling urban maze of Tokyo, not with a camera and crew, but with takeout deliveries. TOKYO UBER BLUES chronicles his unexpected journey into the gig economy, providing more than just a survival story; it captures a shift in the global workforce through the eyes of one man against the backdrop of a buzzing metropolis.

As Taku navigates the city's streets, camera in hand, he captures the stark contrast between the vibrant Tokyo nightlife and the solitary life of a gig worker. The documentary delves into the essence of gig work, revealing the raw, unglamorous side of this bustling industry; far from being a mere series of deliveries, TOKYO UBER BLUES stitches together a broader narrative about the instability of modern work and the fleeting connections of urban life.

The film's power lies in its unembellished portrayal of the gig economy. Taku's quests for bonuses are not heroic sprints but desperate scrambles across Tokyo's vast cityscape; each delivery is a battle against time and fatigue. These sequences capture the physical toll of his work and the emotional drain of striving for financial stability in an unsteady economy.

Amid the chaos of his journeys, the film pauses to capture haunting, silent shots of Tokyo under lockdown. These quiet moments are among the documentary’s most striking, illuminating the loneliness that permeates Taku's world. The contrast between his lone figure and the usually bustling city underscores a shared global solitude, making his journey resonate universally.

TOKYO UBER BLUES does not romanticize Taku’s struggles; instead, it presents them against the harsh realities of this way of life as a fight for survival. It exposes the disparity between the labor exerted and the compensation received, highlighting the broader economic system that favors corporate profit over fair worker compensation. This theme of financial battles runs deep, echoing through the empty streets of Tokyo and into the lives of viewers who may find familiarity in Taku’s endeavors.

TOKYO UBER BLUES is a critical commentary on societal shifts and the evolving narrative of work and connection in the digital age. It challenges the audience to consider the human cost of commodified labor and the value of genuine human interaction in a world where both are increasingly scarce.

Ultimately, TOKYO UBER BLUES is a reflective piece that melds the personal with the political, inviting viewers to contemplate the future of work and the resilience required to navigate such an impersonal economic landscape. Through Taku's lens, the film extends beyond a simple documentary—it becomes a mirror reflecting the shared experiences of workers worldwide and a call to acknowledge the quiet acts of defiance necessary to survive in today's world.

Here are ten catchy headlines for the review that capture the essence of the documentary without using its title:

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[photo courtesy of PBS, POV]

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