The Contestant
- Documentary
The incredible true story of a man who lived for 15 months trapped inside a small room, naked, starving and alone... and completely unaware that his life was being broadcast on national TV in Japan, to over 15 million viewers a week.
The Contestant is a documentary following the extraordinary true story of a man who spent 15 months confined to a small room, unaware that his struggle was being broadcast to millions of viewers on Japanese television. The film explores one of the most unusual and controversial reality TV experiments ever filmed. Released in September 2023, it offers a fascinating and disturbing look at the intersection of entertainment and human endurance.
When does The Contestant come out?
Where to watch
Streaming availability in United States
United States
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Rent or buy
Digital purchase & rental in United States
Not available to rent or buy in United States yet. Available to rent or buy in: United Kingdom · Ireland
Where to watch The Contestant by country
United Kingdom
Greece
Germany
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Spain
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BrazilTop cast
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NasubiSelf
Toshio TsuchiyaSelf- Kazuko HamatsuSelf
- Seiichi HiraiSelf
- Harutaro KagawaSelf
- Juliet HindellSelf
- Ikuyo HamatsuSelf
- Jun AnzaiSelf
- Kenji KondoSelf
Fred ArmisenDenpa Shonen Narrator (voice)
Takehiro HiraNasubi's Diary (voice)
Trailer
The Contestant Trailer
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The Contestant — frequently asked
What is The Contestant about?
The documentary tells the true story of a man who lived naked and starving in a small room for 15 months while being filmed for a Japanese TV show watched by over 15 million viewers weekly, without his knowledge of the broadcast.
When was The Contestant released?
The film was released on September 8, 2023.
Where can I watch The Contestant?
The documentary is available on streaming platforms; check your preferred service for availability in your region.
Is this based on a real story?
Yes, The Contestant documents an actual TV experiment that took place in Japan, making it a factual documentary account of a real person's experience.
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