戦争映画 American Mishima looks at Emperor

67 years have passed since the end of the Great Pacific War. And while many big blockbuster war films have been made both here in and in Japan, the early days of the American Occupation following Japan's catastrophic defeat have largely been unexplored or seen by American audiences. Until Now.

American Mishima has been privileged on behalf of Cultural News of Little Tokyo to screen the 2012 Lions Gate film Emperor. The full length feature film tells a fictionalized account based on the real life story of US Army Brigadier General Bonner Frank Fellers and his mostly overlooked historic role in Japan's path to democracy. Fellers (played by Mathew Fox star of ABC's Lost) who served under US Allied Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur (played by veteran actor & Oscar nominee Tommy Lee Jones) is given the impossible task to investigate the Showa Emperor's role in the lead up to war and most notably his majesty's alleged involvement the decision to attack Pearl Harbor within ten days. 

Fellers recommendation to General MacArthur has Japan's entire post war fate in wrested in his hands. This is a great responsibility to which Fellers, a known Japan affectionado who had spent time in Japan before the war must handle delicately.

Fellers must question the accused Class A War Criminals such as Wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.

And the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Koichi Kido (played by Ibu Masato ).

And former Prime Minister Prince Fumimaro Konoe (played by Nakamura Masatoshi).

None of these three men offer any satisfactory information or any real cooperation with Fellers investigation. Only contradictions in a land full of contradictions. Fellers frustration is not does not convince these former power holders that the Emperor's life is on the line nor do they understand the implications or have considered the consequences from their lack of cooperation.

As if Fellers had enough on his plate he must also deal with prejudice from both the resentful populace.

And soldiers within Mac Arthur's own Occupation Forces under his command. Complicating this task is the fictional General Richter (played by Colin Moy).

 General Richter will use any underhanded means to derail Fellers investigation in order to justify revenge upon the Japanese Emperor.

Richter makes no secrets about his feelings. It's clear to Fellers what Richter is up to when Richter suggests MacArthur himself is setting Fellers up for a fall. His thinly veiled motives are quite clear as Richter conveys the American Public's demand for revenge while treating Fellers with suspicion if not subtle contempt.

“Revenge is not Justice” argues Fellers. And in that quest to exonerate his majesty, Fellers is assisted by Takahashi (played by Haneda Masayoshi) who is assigned to him as both interpreter and driver. This is a solemn task for a man who lost his wife and family in the first Tokyo raids and one he serves diligently without reservation. 

Takahashi is initially treated with cold indifference by Fellers who seems to be both under the strain of his investigation and his anger over the war but it is soon revealed where poetic license with history ensues tin which Fellers is privately preoccupied with finding his Pre-War Japanese love interest Aya Shimada (played by Hatsune Eriko). 

Takahashi must sift through the bombed out ruins of her last known address. This subplot takes us back to the 1930's where their accidental love story takes place. It is here that Fellers initial icy veneer of grim determination is stripped away revealing a warm compassionate gentleman who falls for a visiting female Japanese student attending his university.

Their budding romance is temporarily interrupted when Aya unexpectedly returns to Japan at behest of her ailing father who had taken ill. 

Undaunted, Bonner Fellers gets an assignment in the Philippines where he takes advantage of his position and takes an extended leave to follow Aya in Japan but to his surprise, he is not warmly received. 

Her late father forbid her to be with a Gaijin as Anti-foreigner sentiments loomed with the pre-war Army propaganda being circulated to school children as evident by the rocks thrown at Fellers. 

It is through Aya that we are introduced to her uncle General Kajima (played by Nishida Toshiyuki of Ramen Girl). Kajima is a robust Army General who had spent two years in the United States before the war but in contrast to the real life Japanese Officers who actually visited the United States and opposed such an unwinnable war, he sincerely believes Japan could win an armed conflict with the United States. Despite his initial distrust, he offers Fellers both traditional Japanese hospitality and assistance in understanding the mindset of the Japanese Soldier. This experience will stay with him throughout his investigation. 

As MacArthur's Washington imposed deadline looms, Fellers requests more time but is swiftly denied. MacArthur orders Fellers to go to the Imperial Palace and demand to speak with the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Koichi Kido who had previously refused to meet him in secret. 

Faced with armed sword bearing Imperial Palace Guards, Fellers demands an audience which is politely re-translated by Takahashi in terms that are far less menacing granting only Fellers access to Kido while his armed squad awaits his return outside the palace gates. 

With expectations running high and little time remaining, Kido offers no evidence implicating or exonerating the Emperor that would clear the reigning monarch. Instead Kido offers one instance of the Emperor's involvement with the Army controlled military government three months before the attack on Pearl Harbor where the Emperor made an unprecedented move entering the Supreme War Council to offer a simple yet heavily weighed Tanka Poem (An Emperor's most commonly used device in Japanese Taiga Dramas) written by his grandfather, the late Emperor Meiji: “If the worlds oceans be joined in peace, Why does the world rise in raging waves?”

But when all hope seems lost, a major break comes Fellers way. In the middle of a late night Tokyo rain storm that Bonner Fellers would have a most auspicious visit by none other than one of the most sought after men wanted by the American authorities; General Sekiya Teizaburo (played by Natsuyagi Isao of Ten to Chi to aka- Heaven & Earth 1990). 

Like Koichi Kido before him Teizaburo Sekiya offers no concrete proof of the Emperor's complicity or innocence yet offers a detailed account of the events leading to his majesty's famous recording heard throughout the embattled empire where the Emperor asked of his military and his people “To endure the unendurable.” It is a most remarkable scene that vividly depicts in full color the extent of the brutal assault by Imperial Japanese Army troops upon the Imperial Palace itself, an unprecedented violent move to prevent the Emperor's broadcast announcing Japan's defeat without uttering the word Surrender by fanatics who wished to continue the futile fight to the bitter end. Not since the 1967 film Nihon no ichiban nagai hi -aka Japan's Longest Day starring the legendary Mifune Toshiro had anyone depicted such treacherous mutiny by the army upon the Chrysanthemum Throne and the valiant efforts by the palace guard and Imperial Household to protect the Emperors words.

It is with accounts of the Showa Emperors actions during the assault on the Imperial Palace  to ensure that Japan would agree to end the war that give Fellers a plan of action that would determine both the Emperor and Japan's Post War fate.

Emperor has a few well done CGI effects such as the aerial shots of MacArthur's transport plane and the American naval ships in Tokyo Bay that help recreate the world of Post War Japan. Attention to detail was given to the costume design and overall art direction. 

Throughout the movie there are notable performances from Mathew Fox & Hatsune Eriko, and most particularly that of Tommy Lee Jones who he admittedly looks nothing like the real General MacArthur.

But once in the period uniform, officers hat, aviator sunglasses, and that famous corn cob pipe dangling from his mouth, Jones visually assumes MacArthur's larger than life persona of the legendary Supreme Allied Commander but if you close your eyes for just a moment he still sounds like Agent K from Men in Black. “Allright!” While Jones's own personality has his own powerful, he is perfectly suited for playing the role of the confident Douglas MacArthur, a general who sought to make history by having the most successful bloodless occupation but whose grandstanding for the press and ego would overshadow his historic accomplishments and contributions to the rebuilding of Japan. Eventually this would get him fired by President Truman during the Korean War. 

Without giving away any more of the film, the realistic looking sets and locations depicting the beautiful traditional serene washitsu styled homes of Konoe and Kajima contrast the bleak fire bombed devastation of twisted metal and charred ruins of Post War Tokyo recreated in Auckland are both reminiscent and relevant to the recent Tohoku tragedy of our times.

In conclusion, it is often darkest before the dawn and throughout history such tragedies are overcome by a people's will to rebuild. 

Like the humble words of the current Heisei Emperor in the wake of the Tohoku tragedy so too are moving words of the Showa Emperor (played by Kataoka Takataro of Empire of the Sun) whose performance and stunning likeness brings the late monarch back to life.

Though Takataro's scenes are brief, they are profound as they are moving. Takataro's performance convey both the dignity and presence of this most humble and yet misunderstood vilified controversial monarch. While some Americans who bear historical grievances may pass on the film or view with prejudice, we found this drama both revealing and true to the spirit of those times offering hope in the wake of tragedy. Like the overall plot this film, Emperor carries it's redeeming qualities that is both respectful to Japanese Culture and true to human nature. For the Showa Emperor's pivotal scene alone, we will give this film high marks and sincere gratitude to the filmmaker Peter Webber and writers David Klass & Vera Blasi for bringing this most important overlooked story to the big screen.

Seen here is the real non-Imperial sanctioned photograph of the Showa Emperor's historic meeting with the US Allied Supreme Commander General Douglas MacArthur.

戦争映画 - A Real Officer and a Movie Part II

Earlier this month, we introduced you to a new feature inspired by the Military Channel we like to call "A Real Officer and a Movie" where we feature films depicting the heroic true stories of men who served the Empire of Japan during the Second World War. Earlier we introduced you to the story of Captain Oba Sakaein the 2010 Toho Studios War Epic 太平洋の奇跡−フォックスと呼ばれた男− (Translated The Miracle of the Pacific, The Man Called Fox) aka "Oba, The Last Samurai." Thanks again to our man Eddie over at Japanese Samurai DVD we would like to introduce you to another true story of one of Japan's Greatest Fighter Aces, a man who would later become enshrined at the Yasakuni Shrine as a God of War, the true story of Major General Katō Tateo in the newly digitally remastered 1969 Daiei Motion Picture Company film Rikugun Hayabusa Sentotaihe - aka "The Falcon Fighters."

But before we give you our take on the film let us introduce you to the man that in October 26, 1942 Time Magazine would call "Japan's Hero." Originally from Hokkaido, this son of an Army Sergeant who was killed in the Japan-Russo War would grow up to graduate in the 37th Class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1925 and would achieve the honorable duty of flag bearer for his Infantry Regiment. Within two years he would transfer to the Army's fledgling Air Corps and enroll at Tokorozawa Flying School. With great skill and natural aptitude for flying, he quickly rose through the ranks and became a flight instructor. By 1932 he had become the head flight instructor for the Akeno Flying School. This man would instruct a generation of new fighter pilots that would later see action over the skies of Manchuria and later in the War of the Pacific. During his time as commander of the 2nd Daitai, he claimed nine kills in China but would later disavow personal victories in favor of the collective achievements of his squadron earning both him and his men many unit citations. 

Katō is one of those few Japanese Officers during the Second Sino-Japanese War to leave the area of combat to visit Germany to inspect the German Luftwaffe's technical achievements in advanced fighter design. This combined with the attachments he had with his men to which he took personal responsibility as depicted in the film for him to push for the development of the new Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon) fighter which would play a crucial in the War in the Pacific. It is believed during the course of his career he had made over 60 fighter kills which can not be accurately confirmed. However, his actions helped his unit's over all score of 260 kills over combined Allied Aircraft which quickly saw Katō promoted to Lieutenant Colonel by 1942. But as with Japan, Katō's successes would come to a fiery end on May 22nd 1942. While on an attack on a British Bristol Bomber of Squadron 60, a turret gunner named Flight Sergeant 'Jock' McLuckie raked the exposed belly of Katō's Peregrine Falcon with a burst of machine gun fire as Katō had come in for a pass sending him to a fiery crash into the sea. Katō would be posthumously awarded the rank of Major General and enshrinement at the Yakasuni Shrine as a God of War.  His life would be the subject of a 1944 Propaganda film made during the War titled Katō Hayabusa Sento-Tai seen in the restored trailer below:

Two decades later in the post war era, Katō's story would be featured again in the 1969 full feature film titled "Rikugun Hayabusa Sentotaihe" - aka "The Falcon Fighters."

For the newly digitally remastered feature "The Falcon Fighters" we wrote the following synopsis: Set in the prewar days leading up to the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937, head flight instructor Lt. Katō Tateo of the Imperial Japanese Army-Air Corps trains new volunteers from the Amry's Infantry to become Japan's next generation of fighter pilots at the Tokorozawa Flying School. Flying Kawasaki Ko-4 biplane's, Lt. Katō will train both friend and future foe alike. 

But as war in China breaks out, Katō (played by Makoto Satô) now in command of the 5^th Rentai will take his untested men flying antiquated planes into aerial combat against the Chinese Air Force who is now headed by Lt. Cho (played by Jun Fujimaki) who Katō both earlier befriended and personally trained himself. While Katō's squadron ultimately achieves air superiority over the skies of Manchuria, it comes at a high price in men to which each loss carries a heavy burden that he alone must carry. 

As the war widens into the Second World War, Captain Katō must battle an ever advancing array of deadlier new enemies flying ever more modern fighter planes. In a time when “To Serve was to Die,” ( a literal death sentence in some sense to Western eyes) a stark contrast of Military thinking by American Generals such as George S. Patton who said "No one ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor bastard die for his country." While such mindset or language may have not existed among the Japanese, the conflict instilled by the Bushido code and notion to die for the Emperor as an achievement versus the realities in losses of well trained men weighed heavily on Katō. Katō would rise through the ranks and defy the military logic of the day of an indifferent Army military brass to push for the development of the new Nakajima Ki-43  Hayabusa or "Peregrine Falcon” - (the Army's answer to the Navy's famous Mitsubishi A6M Zero) in an effort to arm Japan's pilots with modern fighter planes that would give his men a fighting chance of survival in the deadly aerial combat over the Pacific. 

Originally titled “Rikugun Hayabusa Sentotai,” written by Katsuya Susaki and directed by Mitsuo Murayama 1969 Daiei Motion Picture Company. Made with the technology available in the late 1960's, this rare classic WWII film "The Falcon Fighters" is the real life true story of Katō Tateo one of Japan's most legendary fighter aces of all time. Unfortunately we could not find a trailer available to show you but in lieu of such we have uploaded the film's opening so you may get a feel for this film.

Please bear in mind, as "American-jin" we are not trying to glorify war or make any political statements or arguments about Japan's wartime past. It is often said there are both heroes and villains on both sides to any conflict. What we at American Mishima believe is in sharing the stories not so well known on this side of the Pacific and worthy of retelling. We hope that the story of Katō Tateo gets retold yet again in a modern motion picture with today's talent and technology. Such men are a rare breed not to be forgotten. Their shared sacrifices made possible the world we have today. Therefore, we offer a salute and shared admiration for Major General Katō Tateo and the men on all sides who fought bravely for their countries in what was the tragedy that was the Second World War.

戦争映画 - Only The Brave

Only The Brave is the story of the about the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team that fought for the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. This low budget feature was the admirable attempt to tell the story of the Japanese-Americans who at a time when their own country turned against them, they fought for their freedom and the respect of an ungrateful nation. This film spends a portion of the film leading up to the groups enlistment shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The majority of the film takes place in Europe in the unit's famous 1944 rescue of the Texas 141st. The film centers around the men who are mostly from Hawaii's Teritorial Home Guard and volunteers from Seattle. We see and hear very little from those forced into America's Concentration Camps like those at Manzanar. To me this is the films only major flaw aside from the slow pace of the european scenes. but all in all, I am glad someone honored this units memory who in defence against Nazi tyranny earned 21 Medals of Honor, 9,486 Purple Hearts, 588 Silver Stars, 5,200 Bronze Stars. Their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. Written, Directed, and Starred by Lane Nishikawa who plays "Jimmy Takata" and co stars Tamlyn Tomita of Come See the Paradise and Babylon 5 fame. This feature also stars Jason Scott Lee, Jeff Fahey, and Shogun Ki's favorite documentary host Mark Dacascos as Steve "Zaki" Senzaki. Also featured is the final heartfelt moments of Pat Morita filmed shortly before his death. I wouldn't say this film is the caliber of Otoko no tachi Yamato or Saving Private Ryan. But for a low budget feature it was a decent attempt to tell their story. I would have liked to have seen more of the prewar scenes which to me were more powerful than the combat scenes.

My only other two points of contention is I would have liked to have heard more Japanese spoken in the film than the Hawaiian slang used and I would have liked to have seen more of the lovely Tamlyn Tomita. And on that note please see the trailer of come see the Paradise http://lasamurai.blogspot.com/2010/02/old-wounds-part-ii-view-from-behind.html. But on a historical standpoint, I am glad that Lane Nishikawa felt passionate enough to tell their story.

This film is scheduled for a big screen presentation during this Sakura Matsuri 2010. To find out about showtimes please visit their website at http://www.cherryblossomfestivalsocal.org/, It is also available on Netflix and Amazon.

男たちの大和, Otoko-tachi no Yamato

Ok now that we have covered the kiddie version of Yamato, I felt it neccessary to cover the story of the real Imperial Japanese Battleship Yamato. This is no kids story but sadly it does involve kids. When you grow up here in the United States, they simplify WWII down to a few catch phrases like "Well the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor" etc. The truth is not so simple. And as tragic and devestating as the war was for Japan their stories are still largely unknown to most Americans and sadly even less known among younger Japanese. This is one of those stories that should be told.

Otoko-tachi no Yamato which literally means "The Men of Yamato" is an epic film that depicts the real historical events of the Yamato's final sortie. Set against this historical backdrop is the fictional story of Makiko Uchida (Koyoka Suzuki) who comes to Kure (The Yamato's home port) to seek out a captain who would take her out to the Yamato's last location on the 60th anniversary of her sinking. No captain will help her until it is revealed to the 75 year old Captain Katsumi Kamio (played by  the legendary Tatsuya Nakadai) that she is a daughter of Petty Officer Mamoru Uchida (played by Shido Nakamura) whom which Kamio pressumed went down with the ship. Moved by this knowledge, the Elder Kamio agrees to take Makiko and his 15 year old apprentice sailor Atsushi to the location of the Yamato's last position and to Kamio's painful memories of a youth long lost with the Yamato.

There are some amazing live action sets and brilliant CGI work that bring the beloved warship back to life. For generations, The Yamato has captured the imagination like no other Battleship in history. To this day Yamato still captures the imagination as was demonstrated when the production opened the live action sets to the public in 2005. Over one million visitors walked atop Yamato's recreated decks before the exhibit was closed down in May of 2006. Along with her sister ship The Musashi, she was the largest Battleship ever built in the world. Tragically, in her final days she was crewed mostly by young sea cadets whose average age was 15. Out of her 3000 crew, 2800 were literally children such as Kamio's character. There are some heavy performances in this 2005 epic that are not to be missed. In all my collection of great war films this is by far one of my favorites.

To see a great site of the Yamato set visit
 Yamato Movie-Set

Old Wounds Part II - A View From Behind the Wire

If you read my previous post I mentioned the film Come See The Paradise, For those of you who have never heard of this film it is one of Dennis Quaid's most underrated work. It shows the plight of Japanese Americans during WWII and the impact it had on the Little Tokyo Community here in Los Angeles.

 

Toyo's Camera is a documentary of what really happened in America's Concentration Camps. If it doesn't break your heart it will make you take a hard look at what's going on today.