The Naked Director Season 1 Episode 7 Don't Dream It's Over
- August 8, 2019
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7.6 (186)
The Naked Director is a Japanese biographical drama series that follows the life of Toru Muranishi, a Japanese adult video director who rose to fame in the 1980s. Each episode is centered around a specific period in his life, full of trials and tribulations, culminating in him becoming the self-proclaimed "Emperor of Porn." Season 1, Episode 7, titled "Don't Dream It's Over," is no different.
The episode picks up where it left off in the previous episode, with Muranishi contemplating his future after his wife, Makiko, leaves him. He finds solace in his work, determined to keep his company afloat. Meanwhile, his ex-associate, Ikezawa, confides in journalist Kawada about the illegal activities going on at Muranishi's company. Kawada, who had previously been enamored with Muranishi, becomes interested in exposing him to the public.
Muranishi hires a new actress, Yoko, who is full of potential, but also quite troubled. He tries his best to mentor her, but she is still traumatized by her past experiences. The two bond over their mutual love for movies, and Muranishi encourages her to keep trying, but she becomes disillusioned with the industry. Yoko's story becomes a metaphor for the show's broader theme: the cost of "selling out" in order to realize dreams.
Meanwhile, Kawada begins to set his sights on Muranishi's business practices, determined to expose him as a fraud to the public. He meets with former employees who were mistreated at Muranishi's company, and begins to uncover the truth behind the director's success. Things come to a head when Kawada confronts Muranishi at his office, accusing him of exploiting his actors and actresses. Muranishi becomes agitated and orders Kawada to leave, but the confrontation ends in a heated exchange of words.
The episode ultimately highlights the dangers of chasing one's dreams at any cost. Muranishi, a man who once had big dreams of becoming a filmmaker, found himself in the pornography industry after falling on hard times. Despite his success, he realizes that his dream may not have been worth the price he paid. The episode sets up the series for its climactic final episodes, as Muranishi must face the consequences of his actions, and come to terms with what he has become.
In conclusion, "Don't Dream It's Over" is a powerful episode, full of emotional highs and lows. It brings to the forefront the issues surrounding the adult entertainment industry, and explores the human cost behind the pursuit of fame and fortune. Muranishi's story is one of redemption, but it is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of taking shortcuts to success. The Naked Director continues to be a must-watch series, and this particular episode sets the stage for a heart-wrenching, yet ultimately satisfying finale.