It’s a story that is depressingly familiar, especially over the last few years: a powerful man (and sexual predator) drugs and assaults a young ambitious woman trying to build her career. What makes Black Box Diaries stand out? First and foremost it is the remarkable courage and winning personality of journalist Shiori Itō, the woman at the center of this story, who turns her trauma into strength before our eyes. Using her investigative skills, she painstakingly builds a case against her attacker, Noriyuki Yamaguchi—a well-known journalist and close personal friend, and biographer, of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe—as well as to decry the outdated consent laws on the books in Japan. Also remarkable is Itō taking the helm as director of her own story, confidently stepping into the role of filmmaker, adapting her memoir Black Box, and weaving a compelling and sophisticated story of survival. Itō, who became the face of Japan’s #MeToo movement and was named one of Time‘s 100 Most Influential People, has crafted an emotional, candid, and timely rallying cry for victims around the world. ~OO

Also screens on Thursday, October 24 | 2 PM