Director Andrew Levitas's Minamata stars Johnny Depp as celbrated war photographer
W. Eugene Smith. Set in 1971, the movie finds Smith living a reclusive
life before accepting an assignment to document the effects of industrial
mercury poisoning on the inhabitants of the Japanese coastal city of
Minamata. Minami, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ryo Kase, Jun Kunimura, Bill Nighy and Katherine Jenkins also star.
Speaking of his film, Levitas said "I am humbled and pleased that so many wonderful distributors, NGOs, and institutions around the world have joined us in our effort to bring light and voice to the people of Minamata and all of those who are forgotten, oppressed, and left voiceless. This uplifting story of hope, passion, and community reminds us that alone we may be the parts per million, but together we are the millions."
Minamata is in UK/ROI cinemas from February 12th.
Check out the trailer and UK posters below.
The official synopsis reads:
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.
