Hulu has unveiled the trailer for its upcoming documentary, The Contestant, which will tackle the controversial reality television show back in 1998.
Set to arrive on Thursday, May 2, the newly released trailer introduces Tomoaki Hamatsu (known by his nickname, Nasubi) and his ordeal during the filming of a reality show he wasn’t even aware of. The Contestant will also feature interviews with Nasubi, Toshio Tsuchiya, and Fred Armisen’s voice as the documentary’s narrator.
“This true story of a Japanese reality TV star left naked in a room for more than a year, tasked with filling out magazine sweepstakes to earn food and clothing, prompts innumerable questions about our culture of oversharing,” the synopsis reads.
You can watch the trailer down below (watch more trailers):
Who is Nasubi?
In a true story seemingly akin to the fictional The Truman Show, Nasubi — even before reality became a prominent genre on TV — was forced to take part in a “challenge” wherein he had to live in an apartment for 15 months without wearing any clothes. Unbeknownst to him, he is being broadcast nationwide as part of the show called Denpa Shonen: A Life in Prizes.
During those 15 months, Nasubi stayed in an apartment in Japan and later in Korea. Left with nothing but stocks of magazines, Nasubi went on to spend 15 long months filing out magazine sweepstakes in order to earn money.
Set to delve deeper into Nasubi’s story, The Contestant is directed and executive produced by Clair Titley. The producers are Megumi Inman, Andee Ryder, and Ian Bonhôte.
