My+Rainy+Days+(2009)

Cultural studies is a lens of looking at films that is concerned with the cultural context that cam be perceived by the audience. This lens can be used to interpret the film //My Rainy Days// as many aspects of Japanese culture can be identified. Firstly in the plot of this film, the female protagonist is having a relationship with her teacher. This reflects Japanese culture as it is a "trend" emerging in Japanese high schools. Various Japanese school cultures are also shown in the film as Rio is considered the pretty and popular girl with many boys surrounding her. This film also identifies with the common sexual identity in Japanese society where females are commonly seen as characters who have a beautiful appearance and would date older men for their money. This is seen in the film where in the beginning the when Rio was waiting for her older boyfriend and dressing up with the money he gave her. Therefore the cultural studies lens is easily applied to this film.
 * Cultural Studies**

//My Rainy Days// is also a typical film that concedes with the feminist film theory, which portrays women as inferior and negative through the male's gaze. The entire film opens with a panning shot of Rio laying naked on the bed with her back facing the camera. This shot portrays her as a "typical" female character who has a sexy appearance and uses this advantage to be with different men. Rio's character is also set as a girl who knows how to dress up and attract men, as there are various scenes of her dressing up her friends with her sexy clothes. It is also shown in the beginning of the film that because of Rio's negative character, her friends are only by her side due to the benefits they can receive, such as different men or her sexy clothes. This is an example of the male gaze as Rio's character is portrayed negatively in the beginning of the film. Although the main protagonist of the film is Rio, it is clear that the male character, Kouki, is dominant over her. For example throughout the film, it has always been Rio chasing after Kouki and asking for his love in return. In the end of the film, Kouki loses his memory and Rio is still chasing after him. So the feminist film theory is another lens that can be applied to the film //My Rainy Days// through various mis-en-scene choices by the director.
 * Feminist Film Theory**

Catharsis film theory is a lens of looking at films in that the film provides an emotional release to the audience. Mimesis, on the other hand, is similar, but provides a physical release instead. Both theories can be applied to the film //My Rainy Days//. When using the catharsis lens to perceive the film, the audience will relate to Rio as she goes throughs the ups and downs of her life and relationship with Kouki. They will feel happy when Kouki finally decides to date her and kisses her in the library, and will cry and feel anxious when Kouki disappears, leaving Rio with his empty house. The mimesis film theory, on the other hand, will come in after the audience views the film and decides that maybe dating a teacher or older man isn't a bad idea. This is how both catharsis and mimesis film theories can apply to the film //My Rainy Days.//
 * Catharsis and Mimesis Film Theory **