Some info on it. Robert
Description:
"A big-budget year-end spectacular from venerable Toei Studios, featuring an all-star lineup of Japan's finest actors, "Admiral Yamamoto" promises to reveal "the truth" about the Pacific war, after 70 years of obfuscation. A far cry from the patriotic propaganda films that Japanese studios churned out in the late 1960s – including the original "Admiral Yamamoto," in which Toshiro Mifune played the eponymous character — this thrilling revisionist update features Koji Yakusho as Isoruku Yamamoto, widely remembered today as the architect of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Yet Yamamoto had deep misgivings about his country's direction, and desperately tried to avert war before eventually firing the first salvo. Yamamoto's decisiveness, his resolve in fighting to protect the lives of his men, and his shouldering of responsibility made him a rare leader in Japan's history, and Yakusho's depiction is sure to revive interest in this inspirational figure with today's younger audiences.
The film begins in 1939, when the pending military treaty between Japan, Nazi Germany and fascist Italy has seriously damaged Sino-Japanese relations. A trio of brave men — Admiral Isoroku, the Secretary of the Navy and the Adjutant General – dares to voice opposition to the pact since it would march Japan inexorably toward war with America. The Tripartite Treaty is shelved, but a few months later, the Nazis invade Poland and World War II breaks out in Europe. Japan has no choice: the military alliance is signed and Admiral Yamamoto, now commanding 400,000 men, must devise a strategy for his country's survival.
"Admiral Yamamoto" opens in theaters across Japan on December 23.
Celebrated actor Koji Yakusho charmed the world with his lead performance in "Shall We Dance" (1996). He then starred in "Cure" and Cannes Palm D'or winner "The Eel," both in 1997, and "Eureka" (2001), among many other films. He has won prizes at a range of international film festivals, and was the subject of a special tribute in 2008 at the Deauville Asia Film Festival. His supporting roles in "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005) and "Babel" (2006) won him even wider acclaim, and his recent performance in Takashi Miike's 2010 hit "Thirteen Assassins" confirms that he is a national treasure. Mr,Yakusho also directs, making his debut in 2009 with the delightful "Toad's Oil."
Director Izuru Narushima worked as assistant director to leading directors such as Shinji Somai, and has penned scripts for other directors, including the 2009 hit "Climber's High." He made his directorial debut with the 2004 "The Hunter and the Hunted," followed by "Fly, Daddy, Fly" (2005), "Midnight Eagle" (2007) "Love Fight" (2008), the acclaimed "A Lone Scalpel" (2010) and earlier this year, "The Rebirth."
Producer Shohei Kotaki has produced a range of successful films, including "First Love" in 2000, "Koko ni Irukoto" (2001), "Aegis" (2005) and this year's "Ogawa no Hotori." He was also the executive producer of "Wasabi" in 2001."
fccj.or.jp/node/7073
