Hulu Original Documentary “The Contestant” Trailer + Premiere Date

The Contestant is a documentary film that explores the dark side of reality TV through the lens of a Japanese game show from the 1990s. The film, directed by Clair Titley, premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released on Hulu in May 2024. It tells the unbelievable true story of aspiring comedian Tomoaki Hamatsu, nicknamed Nasubi, who unwittingly became the subject of a twisted social experiment.

In 1998, Nasubi auditioned for what he thought was a TV show. The show’s producer, Toshio Tsuchiya, instructed him to strip naked and enter an empty room, where he was challenged to fill out magazine sweepstakes to earn food, clothing, and other necessities. Nasubi had to reach a goal of one million yen (approximately $8,000) in total prizes. He was isolated from the outside world, with no contact beyond occasional interactions with Tsuchiya.

What Nasubi didn’t know was that his experience was being broadcast as a TV show called “Denpa Shonen: A Life in Prizes.” The series became a national phenomenon, attracting over 15 million viewers each week. Nasubi’s life was laid bare for all to see, yet he was unaware of his newfound fame. The show broke records, and Nasubi’s diaries from his time in isolation even became bestsellers.

The Contestant delves into the impact of this extreme reality show, exploring how it paved the way for similar programs that pushed the boundaries of what people would do for fame and fortune. It raises questions about our culture of oversharing and the lengths to which people will go to achieve celebrity status. The film features interviews with Nasubi, Tsuchiya, and others close to them, providing insight into the aftermath of Nasubi’s experience and how it changed his life irrevocably.

The Contestant offers a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of our obsession with oversharing and the dark side of human nature that can be exposed when given a platform.