A HIKIKOMORI STORY
ABOUT
Hikikomori is the Japanese word for people with Acute Society Withdrawal. They isolate and hide themselves in their rooms for months, sometimes even years. They hideaway for many reasons, but mainly due to society's pressures and ideology of what is ‘normal’. With the lack of support from the people around them, including their own families, many of them spiral into giving up in life. Feeling lost and pressured to abandon their passions, these youths isolate themselves from the society that has betrayed their trust.
WHAT IS A HIKIKOMORI?
Hikikomoris usually come with a negative connotation and misconceptions. The general public, especially in East Asia, believe these are people who are lazy, unmotivated and CHOOSE to lock themselves in their room so they can play games and watch anime. However, this is not true for majority of the cases.
This documentary aims to give a community of youth a voice, a chance to disprove all negative misconceptions on them, as well as to spread awareness on an underreported issue which is a world-wide phenomenon.
These are people who had great goals and dreams. The rules, pressures and expectations of society caused these youths to spiral.
OUR PURPOSE
SYNOPSIS
Hikikomori is the Japanese word for people with Acute Society Withdrawal. They isolate and hide themselves in their rooms for months, sometimes even years, mainly due to society's pressure. With the lack of support from the people around them, including their own families, many of them spiral into giving up in life. Feeling lost and pressured to abandon their passions, these youths isolate themselves from the society that has betrayed their trust.
K2 House is a rehabilitation facility where Hikikomoris live together in pursuit of reentering society, rediscover their passions, re-building their self-esteem and most importantly, regain faith and trust in society.
We follow three of the members and discover what caused them to isolate themselves - from issues of body shaming to the lack of support to pursuit their dreams.
As we follow their road to recovery, we hear their stories and see how and if they will overcome their traumatic past to re-enter society.