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Watching “I Am A Comedian” (Dir. Fumiari Hyuga, 2022) in a U.S. Classroom
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2025
Abstract
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“I Am A Comedian” (Dir. Fumiari Hyuga, 2022) is a documentary featuring a prominent Japanese comedian, Daisuke Muramoto, who “disappeared” from TV programs despite his popularity and talent, due to the shift of his comedy routine to political satire. The author watched the film with students in a Japanese pop culture class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and also invited Muramoto himself to the class. This essay reviews the documentary within its social context and reports on the engaging class discussion with Muramoto. Creative expression provides people, especially those who are impacted and marginalized, means to contest power. At the same time, we are in an era when political and social conflicts have become exceedingly intense, making it imperative that the manifestation of ideas and opinions be both compelling and sensitive to others. Muramoto's journey in pursuing his comedy provides us with insights to reflect on what true freedom of speech is and the power and responsibility that accompany artistic expression.
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