Minamata

A picture is worth a thousand words. So, they say. And no truer words echo that sentiment more than W. Eugene Smith’s photojournalism career through the mid-20th century. Known for his raw and empathic shooting style, he covered everything from WWII war zones to elections and profiles on the everyday worker. However, it was Smith’s documentation of Japanese locals who were mercury poisoned in the small coastal town of Minamata that truly profiled his career and brought to light the underlying horrors of industrial pollution. Multifaceted artist Andrew Levitas has made this the centre of his new film Minamata and does so impeccably.

It’s 1971. Smith – an almost unrecognisable Johnny Depp – is riddled with alcoholism, post-war injuries, PTSD flashbacks and just a deep hatred of anything and everything. While working for Life magazine, he is approached by journalist and future wife Aileen Mioko (Minami), who urges him to travel to Japan to unveil the consequences of chemical company Chisso dumping their toxic waste in the ocean. It appears the years of essentially poisoning the fish that the locals eat, leave them permanently disfigured and disabled, which we now call Minamata Disease. What results is a social uprising that is still being fought today.

Minamata does open in a way that feels recycled – a tortured western artist pulls himself together for one last hurrah and to save a minority in need. It certainly felt familiar in the first fifteen minutes. But it’s when Smith and Mioko reach Japan, that this film really shines. The unconventional shooting style feels fitting – in line with Smith’s spiralling mental and physical health, as well as the social and political chaos going on around him. The unapologetic views of the victims of the disease linger long after scenes end. The re-creation of Smith’s work in black and white shots of frozen actors was a welcomed creative choice. One of the most wonderful aspects of Minamata, though, is that once the central characters make it to Japan, it becomes less about Smith (or really, a troubled Hollywood actor attempting to redeem himself) and more about the issue at hand that is still so relevant today. Minamata Disease is just one of many examples of industrial pollution and corruption by big corporations, and the film does not shy away from this reality. It also shines a beautiful light on the culture and resilience of the Japanese people. Call me biased but hearing the language of my own culture in a Johnny Depp picture of all things, made me truly happy.

Now yes, let’s talk about Johnny Depp. His personal and highly publicised struggles aside, there is no denying that this actor can be magnificent with the right material. This is easily his finest work in 20 years. This is not a Johnny Depp movie and he knows it. An artist with demons seems like a great fit that we have seen before, and there are peppers of Hunter S. Thompson in there, but this is Depp at his best and here is hoping we see a lot more of this in the future. The rounded-out cast are also fantastic and outshine their heavyweight co-star. Minami as Mioko is striking and her long stares are electric. Hiroyuki Sanada is brilliant as always, playing the head of the activists trying to connect with Chisso henchmen about the reality of their actions. Ryo Kase, Tadanobu Asano and Jun Kunimura (as the soulless corporate CEO) flesh out a great ensemble. Bill Nighy is even thrown in the ring as the stern and surprisingly uncharismatic American head of Life magazine.

It is clear why director Andrew Levitas was drawn to this project. An artist of many trades – painter, sculptor, actor, writer, photographer, the list goes on. Minamata is only his second film and all aspects of his talents come together with this one. It is truly a poignant piece of cinema that feels raw rather than preachy.

The final moments, revealing Smith’s best work and possibly one of the most powerful photographs of the 20^th century, will leave you breathless and wanting to do a deep dive on this important chapter of our history.

An important chapter of our history that is most definitely not closed. Highly recommend this film, it is not to be missed.

4/5 stars

Minamata
In cinemas now
View Trailer