Ito Shiori’s “Black Box Diaries” Gets Academy Award Nom, Makes History

Ito’s documentary about her sexual assault, which has won worldwide acclaim, is the first by a Japanese director to get an Oscar nod.

Ito Shiori’s Black Box Diaries, a documentary she directed about her pursuit for justice in her sexual assault case, is now officially up for a US Academy Award. She’s the first Japanese director to earn a nomination in the category.

According to Nikkan Sports, Ito is the first Japanese director nominated in the category.

Ito’s film, which made the Oscars documentary shortlist last month, tells about her struggle to get answers and action after her rape by journalist Yamaguchi Noriyuki. She contends that the well-connected Yamaguchi used his political connections to kill the criminal case. She eventually won a civil judgment against him.

Despite critical acclaim worldwide, Ito’s film has yet to air in Japan, according to Huffington Post JP. Ito’s former lawyer has also criticized her for using security camera footage and recorded conversations with cops without permission. Lawyer Nishihiro Yoko says such actions could make it harder to get companies like hotels to cooperate with victims in the future.

Black Box Diaries will compete against four other documentaries for the statue: