Entertainment

Mixed Reactions Trail ‘Oppenheimer’ Premiere In Japan

On Friday, “Oppenheimer” finally premiered in the country where two cities were obliterated 79 years ago by the nuclear weapons invented by the American scientist who was the subject of the Oscar-winning film.

Japanese filmgoers’ reactions understandably were mixed and highly emotional.

Toshiyuki Mimaki, who survived the bombing of Hiroshima when he was 3, said he has been fascinated by the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, often called “the father of the atomic bomb” for leading the Manhattan Project.

With sadness in his voice he said, “What were the Japanese thinking, carrying out the attack on Pearl Harbor, starting a war they could never hope to win.”

He is now chairperson of a group of bomb victims called the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organization and he saw “Oppenheimer” at a preview event. “During the whole movie, I was waiting and waiting for the Hiroshima bombing scene to come on, but it never did,” Mimaki said.

The events that transpired on the ground when the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, quickly reducing 100,000 people to ashes and killing thousands more in the days that followed, the majority of them civilians, are not explicitly shown in “Oppenheimer.”

Rather, the movie centers on Oppenheimer as a person and his inner struggles.

Due to the sensitive nature of the movie’s subject matter, there was cautious anticipation for the film’s release in Japan, which took place over eight months after its premiere in the United States.

Speaking at a movie preview in the southwest city of Hiroshima, former mayor Takashi Hiraoka was more critical of what was left out.

“From Hiroshima’s standpoint, the horror of nuclear weapons was not sufficiently depicted,” he was quoted as saying by Japanese media. “The film was made in a way to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save the lives of Americans.”

A few viewers gave compliments. A man remarked the film was excellent as he left a Tokyo theater on Friday, emphasizing that Japanese people were very interested in the subject matter despite its emotional volatility. Another claimed that the parts in the movie that showed Oppenheimer’s inner agony made him cry.

Kazuhiro Maeshima, professor at Sophia University, who specializes in U.S. politics, called the film an expression of “an American conscience.”

Maeshima said that those who expect an anti-war movie may be disappointed, but the telling of Oppenheimer’s story in a Hollywood blockbuster would have been unthinkable several decades ago, when justification of nuclear weapons dominated American sentiments.

“The work shows an America that has changed dramatically,” he said.

Others suggested the world might be ready for a Japanese response to that story.

The director of “Godzilla Minus One,” Takashi Yamazaki said in an online dialogue with “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan, “I feel there needs to be an answer from Japan to “Oppenheimer”. Someday, I would like to make that movie.” Nolan heartily agreed.

A lawyer, Hiroyuki Shinju wrote in his commentary on “Oppenheimer”, “This movie can serve as the starting point for addressing the legitimacy of the use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as humanity’s, and Japan’s reflections on nuclear weapons and war”.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on:

Melissa Enoch

View Comments

  • car of your choice at a minimum price E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION Some Auction Vehicles/Cars For Sale
    Mama Africa #17,000 •Tomatoes Rice # *15,000* •Cap Rice #15,000 •My Food #17,000 •Mama Gold #17,500 •Ade Brazil #15,000 •Elephant Gold #15,000 •Royal Umbrella #15,000 Etc.
    Golf3= 500,000.
    Camry Tinny-Light=500,000.
    Tundra 1,300,000
    Toyota Exterra=850,000
    Toyota Camry big daddy=650,000
    Toyota Venza= 1.7million
    Toyota Avalon=850,000
    Toyota Rav4=950,000
    Toyota Prado=1.3million
    TOYOTA HILUX=2million
    Toyota Sienna=850,000
    TOYOTA 4-RUNNER=950,000
    Toyota Corolla=650,000
    Toyota Matrix= 700,000
    Toyota Highlander=950,000
    Toyota Picnic=500,000
    Tacoma 1.850,000
    Toyota Hiace Bus=950,000
    Toyota Tundra=1.5million
    Toyota Sequola=900,000
    BMW 5-series=1.960,000
    BMW 3-series=1.640,000
    BMW X6=2.670,000
    Ford Edge=700,000
    Ford Escape=600,000
    Honda Elantra=600,000
    Honda Baby-Boy=700,000
    Dyna Truck 900k
    TIPPER Head 6mill

    Honda Accord=550,000
    Honda CRV=650,000
    HONDA CIVIC=500,000
    HONDA EVIL-SPIRIT=750,000
    HONDA ODYSSEY=500,000
    Honda Pilot=850,000
    Nissan pathfinder=800,000
    Nissan Amanda=750,000
    Infinity=950,000
    Benz C250=N1.300,000
    Benz C300=1.6MILLION
    Benz ML350=2 million
    Benz ML300=1.5 million
    Benz ML550=2.6million
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.3Million
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.8Million
    Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.Million
    Es330 1.6
    Lexus C5 350=950,000
    IS250 1m
    Lexus Rx300=1.2 million
    Lexus Rx330=1.5 million
    Is350 2mill
    Gx470 1.8mill
    Lexus Rx350= 2 million
    ES350 2mill
    Land Rover Discovery ₦3.2Million
    Land Rover Freelander ₦3.6Million
    Land Range Rover Sport ₦4Million
    Acura MDX ₦1.8Million
    Pequot 206=350,000
    Pequot 406=470,000
    Pequot 607=650,000
    .....
    ((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111)

Recent Posts

IGP Orders Investigation into Death of Ilorin Detainee Jimoh Abdulquadri in Police Custody

IGP Egbetokun has ordered an investigation into Jimoh Abdulquadri’s death in police custody, promising justice…

3 hours ago

Trump Dismisses Claims That Elon Musk Holds Real Power Behind US President-Elect

Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that Elon Musk is the true influence behind the newly…

3 hours ago

Tiger Woods’ 15-Year-Old Son Charlie Achieves His First Hole-in-One

Tiger Woods' son Charlie has achieved his first golf hole-in-one during the final round of…

3 hours ago

New Zealand Rejects Cook Islands’ Bid For A Separate Passport

New Zealand has rejected the Cook Islands’ proposal for a separate passport, requiring full independence…

3 hours ago

Honda, Nissan Eye Major Merger, Aim to Finalise Deal by 2025

Honda and Nissan plan a merger to create the world’s third-largest automaker, aiming to finalise…

3 hours ago

Trump Chooses Ex-Bank President As Latin America Envoy Despite Alleged Affair Scandal

Trump has selected ex-bank president Mauricio Claver-Carone as Latin America envoy, despite past misconduct allegations…

3 hours ago