"Through Japanese Eyes: World War II in Japanese Cinema" Topic

"A film about kamikaze pilots has been playing to packed theaters from Hokkaido to Kyushu since its release in December of 2013, becoming one of the top-grossing Japanese productions of all time. In addition to attracting the admiration of Prime Minster Shinzo Abe, "The Eternal Zero" has drawn a fair amount of criticism for being the latest in a string of recent films that mythologize the Japanese role in World War II.
Any Japanese film concerning World War II is going to be closely scrutinized by Japanese and international audiences alike. Most Japanese films produced in the first few decades following the war focus on human tragedy while keeping away from anything that could be construed as glorifying combat or defending Japan's military adventurism. To avoid possible offense, American and Allied Forces in Japanese productions have usually been faceless, instead being represented by their machines of war (as opposed to contemporary Hollywood productions that often include rather negative stereotypes of Japanese soldiers). Americans and the Allied Forces are also rarely even named, usually referred to simply as the enemy.

However, Japanese films generally fail to explain the cause of the war, which has led to a spate of recent movies that cast Japan in a more sympathetic light. With bigger budgets and slicker production values than the stark and repenting post-war movies, these films portray a more romantic view of the fight against the West where Japan is a victim, not the aggressor. As Japanese films become more revisionist, great concern has already been expressed about the current generation of movies such as The Truth about Nanjing which boldly dismisses war atrocities as Chinese propaganda. The film's director has stated that the Japanese leaders executed for war crimes are martyrs like Jesus Christ…"

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Amicalement
Armand

I like the Japanese, as a culture they have a lot to offer, but when it comes to what they did in the 1930s their total denial of the atrocities they committed is appalling.

I just watched The Eternal Zero – good movie but as noted when you look at how the war is shown in Japan one gets a glimpse at why Japanese-Chinese relations are so strained

Every country needs its heroes, even those previously defeated in war.

Thankfully, we have a free press that helps balance entertainment with reality so we do not forget the past.

Thanks for the link Armand. I have passed it on to a Chinese colleague at work who is interested in all things related to Chinese history, as well as the Sino-Japanese war and current relations.

No mention my friend.
Glad you enjoyed.

Amicalement
Armand