Just now I received a press release from the Japanese distributor of The Cove (『ザ・コーヴ』) stating that it has cancelled plans to launch the film's national run at Theater N Shibuya (シアターN渋谷) on June 26.
The reason for the last-minute cancellation was stated as follows:
「度重なる抗議の電話が劇場にあったこと」
"Repeated phone calls to the cinema protesting the film's release"
「抗議による街宣活動の予告が劇場及び本社・日本出版販売(株)宛てにされたこと」
"Advance notice of protests [upon the film's release] addressed to the cinema and its parent company Nippon Shuppan Hanbai (Nippan)"
If you hold an interest in modern Japanese culture you may know that one of the greatest fears of any business here is to cause meiwaku (bother, annoyance) to surrounding companies, merchants or residents, even if it's no "fault" of their own (quotation marks implying it cannot not be their fault).
As tiny as Theater N Shibuya is (two screens, one with 75 seats, the other 102), it was nonetheless the launch pad for the film's rollout release across the country. When a film has trouble securing a screen in Tokyo, where most of its web and print media will be generated, it's very difficult to carry on elsewhere.
Nonetheless, Unplugged president Takeshi Kato has vowed to continue working on getting the film out there to the public. He had endured gaisensha (right-wing propaganda trucks) roving outside his personal residence before a recent court order stopped them.
Ric O'Barry, a key figure behind the The Cove and in the film itself, is scheduled to visit Japan on June 8th, which will go ahead as planned.
On a personal note, I'm very disappointed about this development, particularly after the May 19 article I wrote for Screen (subscription only) about the film's release going ahead. Both because a friend has worked so hard to get The Cove into cinemas and secondly because I despise suppression of any kind of creative work. Flawed and arguably hypocritical as it is, The Cove could've sparked a very healthy debate among Japanese people. There was some good discussion in the comments section of my previous entry about the film on April 21.
Update: Just got word from the distributor that screenings have also been cancelled at Cinemart Roppongi and Cinemart Shinsaibashi (Osaka). It's looking as if the biggest mouth is winning in this case. Sad.
4 comments:
I agree with you. Why are they so intent on keeping this information from the people?
That in itself tosses heavy suspicion on the nationalists and Japanese Gov't. The people should be questioning the censorship in their country and refusing to put up with being treated like naive children incapable of forming an opinion.
Cinemart Roppongi -where Sintok was held- will be showing it. http://www.cinemart.co.jp/theater/roppongi/lineup/20100424_5356.html
While there may be some direct links between the nationalist group (who I won't give any more publicity by naming them) and the fishing association in Taiji this is mainly about garnering publicity for themselves using The Cove -- they haven't even seen the film.
Cinemart Roppongi was one of the screens in negotiations, with no date set other than "summer".
Now that the lead screening is cancelled it's going to be much more difficult.
Aside from that, Roppongi-dori is one of the uyoku's favourite protest routes.
Last Sunday (when Chinese premiere Wen Jiabao was in Tokyo) was unbearable.
Noticed that at some point the image on the film's website was changed from a hot pot below the diving dolphin to a picture of the big blue marble.
the distribution co. should follow the example of "Yasukuni" case and organize a preview for the right wingers.
I heard when the film was shown at last year's Tokyo International Film Festival, the guest brought their own interpreter (to control the situation??), or the film is "one-sided" (well, who said documentaries are about being neutral?), etc., but I'd rather decide it myself.
anyway... the imperial family of Japan, please tell the right wingers that you're capable without their passionate 'support'.
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