Why you should watch the film MINAMATA now
//Summary - Level-C2//
"MINAMATA," starring Johnny Depp, chronicles Eugene Smith's efforts to expose mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan. The film reflects ongoing global environmental and human rights issues. It emphasises the repeated tragedies caused by industrial exploitation and urges viewers to recognise their role in societal issues. Greenpeace, celebrating its 50th anniversary, continues this fight for environmental justice. The film's compelling storytelling and visuals make it a must-watch.
1)
The Hollywood film MINAMATA, produced by and starring Johnny Depp, will be released nationwide in Japan on September 23, 2021.
https://youtu.be/WP8CwvkKxc8
2)
I saw the film on its release disease and would like to encourage as many people as possible to watch it.
This is because I felt that this story is not an event from the distant past but is connected to tragedies that continue to this day and are repeated all over the world and that it confronts the reality that every one of us, everyone living in this society, is a party to these tragedies.
Although the story is based on historical facts, there are no spoilers, so please feel free to read to the end.
3)
‘MINAMATA’ and Greenpeace:
By the way, this year, Greenpeace celebrates its 50th anniversary.
It all started with the nuclear tests conducted by the US military off the coast of Alaska. Greenpeace began when a group of people determined to stop themselves from committing an act that would lead to enormous environmental destruction set off on a ship to the test site.
4)
Just around that time, news photographer Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp), well-known for his many masterpieces, moved to Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture, with his public and private partner, Eileen Mioko Smith (Minami).
The aim was to tell the story of the inhabitants suffering from methylmercury poisoning caused by marine pollution from a chemical plant and their fight against Chisso Corporation, the perpetrator, to the whole world.
In the film, the people of Minamata warmly welcome the twomata. Just as their filming seems to have begun smoothly, the President of Chisso (Jun Kunimura) asks Eugene to stop filming and return to Japan in exchange for a large sum of money.
5)
Eugene unilaterally rejects the proposal and leaves the scene, only to be met with retribution beyond his imagination by the gentlemanly President.
This experience led Eugene to make a decision...
Fifty years later.
Irene has since become President of Greenpeace Japan and continues to work for environmental protection.
6)
Repeated tragedies:
In one scene, Yamazaki (Hiroyuki Sanada), the leader of a citizens' group pursuing responsibility, says this to the members, who are worried about the conflict between big corporations and helpless residents.
7)
'This is not just a problem on this own.
If this continues, the same thing will be repeated.'
At the time, Minamata's economy depended on a Minamata that had been in operation for some 40 years, and the background was that many of the residents could not live independently of Chisso.
8)
This scene reminded me of the nuclear power plant issue that Greenpeace is working on.
In 2011, the worst accident was caused by more than just TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear TEPCO 'sent.
Most nuclear power plants and related facilities are built in small towns in rural areas with no significant industry or source of income. These plants monopolise the local economy, destroying the environment and stifling residents' health concerns.
9)
The freedom of the mind and soul is taken away:
The scene in the film where the President tries to bribe Eugene also seems similar to the stories we often hear from people who live in areas where nuclear power plants are located in various regions or have tried to attract them in the past.
As a journalist, Eugene could not accept the money, but how many residents who are economically dependent on large corporations can make decisions that prioritise the future, decades ahead of the present and generations after themselves, when confronted with more powerful organisations than the individual?
10)
Reality is much harsher and heavier than 'justice', which can be easily said in words. It also binds and twists people's hearts and souls.
It can be like that at times.
11)
'More important than life'?
The President tells Eugene this story.
'What is important is the concentration.
There may be uninvited toxic substances mixed in this bottle of Coke.
But if it's just a little bit, there's no problem.
12)
We have spent a lot of money to build a high-performance purification system.
I drank the effluent and had no problems.
The chemicals produced in this factory support fertilisers and various industries.
We support the Japanese economy.
There is no reason why the claims of a few fishermen, at best, should not be respected above that.'
Doesn't this sound somewhat like the story of contaminated water at the nuclear power plant?
13)
Is dumping contaminated water into the sea the only way to achieve decommissioning for reconstruction because it can't be stored?
That is no problem because it will be diluted below the standard level and discharged.
Is the impact on the Japanese people from the radioactive material released into the ocean less than one hundred thousandths of that in the natural world?
14)
No one can remain unaffected:
Today, various resources are wasted, mass production and consumption are the norm, and economic efficiency is prioritised in everything.
Tangible and intangible 'exploitation', in which someone somewhere is forced to make sacrifices, is involved in the lives of all people in one way or another.
Whether we like it or not, no one can live without environmental and human rights issues.
15)
A happy ending may still be a long way off.
But the journey is not infinite.
People who think I'm afraid that's not right and not good and want to solve it start taking action based on what they can do.
People who take action connect, join forces and raise their voices.
There is undoubtedly a goal ahead.
For the past half-century, Greenpeace has been acting with this belief.
We will continue to act until the day comes when Greenpeace is no longer needed on this planet.
Together with everyone who shares our problems and walks with us.
16)
Although this is an entertaining film based on historical facts, the visuals and music are excellent. It is a powerful work showing that the director, performers, and everyone involved worked hard and sincerely on the subject.
The Corona disaster has made it difficult for people to go out unnecessarily, but I hope you will see it on the screen if you can.
Incidentally, there is a crucial scene in the end roll.
Please don't leave immediately after the film ends, but watch the end roll.
Why you should watch the film MINAMATA now
https://www.greenpeace.org/japan/campaigns/story/2021/09/28/53093/
Film "MINAMATA"(2020) IMDb - 7.2/10
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9179096/
War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan to document the devastating effects of mercury poisoning on coastal communities.
New York, 1971. Following his celebrated days as one of the most revered photojournalists of World War II, W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) has become a recluse, disconnected from society and his career. But a secret commission from Life magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy) sends him to the Japanese coastal city of Minamata, which has been ravaged by mercury poisoning, the result of decades of gross industrial negligence by the country's Chisso Corporation. There, Smith immerses himself in the community, documenting their efforts to live with Minamata Disease and their passionate campaign to achieve recognition from Chisso and the Japanese government. Armed with only his trusted camera, Smith's images from the toxic village give the disaster a heartbreaking human dimension, and his initial assignment turns into a life-changing experience.
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Minamata - Wikipedia
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/MINAMATA-%E3%83%9F%E3%83%8A%E3%83%9E%E3%82%BF-
Original title: Minamata is a 2020 US drama film directed by Andrew Levitas (English version) and written by David Kessler, based on the 1975 photographic book MINAMATA by W. Eugene Smith and Eileen Mioko Smith, 1970s, Johnny Depp, who also produces the film, plays Eugene Smith, a photographer who documents the effects of mercury poisoning (Minamata disease) on the citizens of Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture.
Story:
In 1971, American photographer W. Eugene Smith became famous for his numerous 'photographic essays' published in Life magazine but had become a recluse with a drinking problem.
While working at another job, Smith was urged by Irene, a passionate Japanese translator, to visit Minamata to photograph and document Minamata disease.
Smith is finally convinced to do his best to unmask the devastating effects of corporate greed with the complicity of local police and government.
He travels to Minamata, Japan, to document the damage to coastal communities by mercury poisoning and Minamata disease. Minamata disease was caused by industrial pollution from the chemical company Chisso.
Confronting the powerful corporation with only his Minolta camera, Smith must gain the trust of a broken community and find images to tell this story to the world. Smith will face severe reprisals locally, but this coverage will make him an icon of photojournalism.
Takeshi Ishikawa Photo Exhibition: MINAMATA - A tribute to Eugene Smith
https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/exhibition/1351779.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoko_and_Mother_in_the_Bath
