Yu Yamanaka,
Film Director and Videographer

Most of the preconceptions we hold about prisons being harsh places are formed by movies and TV dramas. When I made a conscious effort to set aside these biases and film with an honest eye, what I saw was an orderly daily life being carried out. The flowers in the garden tended by inmates every day, the details of the meals they look forward to, the voices of the prison officers’ commands echoing through the hallways… Since my stay was brief—only one day—I am not sure if I captured the full picture. However, as I operated the camera, I personally felt that despite the restrictions, there is a certain degree of freedom within the prison. A prison is a place that houses those who have committed crimes, but it is also a space where various philosophical themes such as views on life, happiness, and religion exist. This film, just under 14 minutes long, matter-of-factly depicts the interior of a prison that is rarely seen. I hope that through these detached images, viewers can sense, even slightly, the inherent questions that a prison destinedly holds.

Follow the series on Instagram: “The Exquisite Prison and the 30”