Stupeur et Tremblements

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GEOPOLITICS

For this geopolitical subject, I chose to focus on the film Stupor and Trembling, a film that presents the place of a woman in Japanese society, marking the social fractures she can represent across countries and cultures. I chose it because I'm not a big fan of Japan, and I wanted to make the effort to "understand", if not even "accept" this culture that seems so different from my own and open my mind to other cultures. The fact that the film is not too long (about 1 hour 40 minutes) suited me better, I tend not to stay focused during a film duration exceeding two hours, so I preferred not to take the risk this time.

1. The place of women in Japanese society, reasons, evolutions?

1: The place of women

In "Stupor and Trembling", director Alain Corneau explores the place of women in Japanese society, highlighting aspects such as rigid hierarchy, respect for authority, social and professional pressures, the tradition of the housewife, sexism and harassment, as well as signs of change and evolution. The main character, Amélie, finds herself confronted with these realities as a new employee at a large Japanese company, where she must learn to navigate a very different professional environment than the one, she is used to. As she works hard to adapt and cope with difficulties, she also witnesses women like Fubuki, a strong and independent colleague, who challenge traditional norms and represent signs of change in Japanese society. In sum, "Stupor and Trembling" offers an insightful look at the condition of women in Japan, showing both traditional constraints and signs of progress.

2: Reasons

First, traditions and cultural norms play a crucial role in Japanese society. Expectations of women and men, in terms of behavior, social roles, and careers, are often determined by these traditions. For example, "corporate marriage" is a tradition where women quit their jobs to devote themselves to their homes after marriage. This tradition reflects the value placed on family and domestic stability in Japanese society. Secondly, hierarchy and respect for authority are important aspects of Japanese culture. Japanese companies often have a rigid hierarchical structure, where employees must respect and obey their superiors. This can limit opportunities for women to advance, as promotion often depends on the ability to respect and follow the rules of the hierarchy. Finally, sexism and gender-based discrimination are persistent problems in Japanese society. Women may be judged more harshly than men for the same performance at work, and they may face additional barriers due to their gender.

Compared to European culture, these differences may be related to historical and cultural perspectives unique to each region. For example, in many European countries, there have been feminist movements and reforms that have helped to reduce gender disparities in the labor market and other areas.

3: Evolution

Here for evolution, I imagine that we need to develop around the future of the societal place of women in Japan, so the character of Amélie and her colleagues provide concrete examples, highlighting both the progress made and the persistent challenges. An example of this evolution is Fubuki, a colleague of Amélie's, who holds a high-level position in the company. She represents a strong and independent woman, who has managed to climb the ladder despite the obstacles. Her career path shows that women can move into leadership positions in Japanese companies. However, the character of Amélie herself also shows the challenges that women can face. Despite her efforts and intelligence, she is often limited in her possibilities due to her position at the bottom of the hierarchy. She is also subject to social expectations that push her to conform to the norms of Japanese society, especially about her relationship with her supervisor.

These examples show that although women in Japan have made progress in their fight for gender equality and career advancement, there is still much work to be done. The evolution of women's place in Japanese society is a complex process that requires changes in both social attitudes and organizational structures.

1. What do I take away from this film?

As said before, I have a lot of trouble with cultures that differ from my own, not that I don't accept them, but I have a hard time considering them in my life. What I take away from this film is the complexity of the social norms and expectations that shape women's working lives in Japan. I am also struck by the courage and determination of women like Fubuki, who defy expectations and traditions to follow their own professional path. The film also reminded me of the importance of gender equality and respect for individuals, regardless of their gender or social status.

1. Mon diagnostic

The character of Amélie herself also shows the challenges that women can face. Despite her efforts and intelligence, she is often limited in her possibilities due to her position at the bottom of the hierarchy. She is also subject to social expectations that push her to conform to the norms of Japanese society, especially about her relationship with her supervisor. These examples show that although women in Japan have made progress in their fight for gender equality and career advancement, there is still much work to be done. The evolution of women's place in Japanese society is a complex process that requires changes in both social attitudes and organizational structures. As an actor in society, I am convinced that we can all contribute to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. This requires engagement at all levels of society, from businesses and governments to individuals and families. I pledge to continue to support these efforts and do my best to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

I really believe that sensitizing children from an early age on gender issues is crucial. This should be achieved by introducing classes in schools that talk about gender equality and combat misconceptions about gender roles. Secondly, in order to improve the situation of women in the world of work, I suggest a number of measures. First, set up specific mentoring and training programs for women to help them advance in their careers. Secondly, it is essential to change recruitment and promotion policies to make them more equitable for women. Finally, harassment and gender-based discrimination in the workplace must be addressed.

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