Japan is ageing faster than any other country in the world, with almost 40% of its population over 60. With an exceptionally low birth rate, that figure is expected to continue to increase as the population shrinks. Whilst Japan once placed its elderly at the top of the social hierarchy, that is no longer the case, with the country's prime minister recently stating that the ageing population poses an "urgent risk to society".

Against this backcloth, director Chie Hayakawa imagines the introduction of a state-sponsored government programme, 'Plan 75', which encourages senior citizens to be voluntarily euthanised in order to rejuvenate a disproportionately aged society. The scheme is sold on the basis that, instead of being a burden on their family or the state or being lonely and isolated in their final years, anyone aged 75 or more can simply place themselves in the hands of the state and painlessly slip away. 

The film focuses on the impact the scheme, with its bureaucratic machinery and deceptively soothing public-information films, has on a small group of people across society - an elderly woman who loses the means to live independently, a pragmatic 'Plan 75' salesman and a young Filipino caregiver.

60 non-member tickets are available to purchase for this screening. Non-member tickets are £5 (full-time students £3) and can be purchased in advance from The Exchange's Box Office: online at http://exchangetwickenham.co.uk/events, by telephone 020 8240 2399 or in person. To ensure that you secure a ticket and avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend early pre-booking via The Exchange.

Should any non-member tickets remain available on the night of screenings, they can be purchased from The Exchange's box office on the ground floor. Purchases are by contactless payments only.

Richmond Film Society was formed in 1963 and has since screened over 860 films. Our objective was, and remains, to bring our community the very best in World Cinema. Our 19-film seasons run from September to June and attract an aggregate audience approaching 4,500 attendees.

Films are shown on alternate Tuesdays at 8:00 pm sharp, with no ads or trailers. On screening nights, the bar opens at 7:00 p.m. and drinks can be brought into the auditorium. Film notes are available online for each screening and audience scores and feedback are collated.

See http://www.richmondfilmsoc.org.uk for further information and full details of our Season 60 programme.