Island of Java, 1942, during World War II. British Major Jack Celliers arrives at a Japanese prison camp, run by the strict Captain Yonoi. Colonel John Lawrence, who has a profound knowledge of Japanese culture, and Sergeant Hara, brutal and simpleton, will witness the struggle of wills between two men from very different backgrounds who are tragically destined to clash.
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David Bowie
Celliers
Tom Conti
Lawrence
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Yonoi
Takeshi Kitano
Hara
Jack Thompson
Hicksley
Johnny Ohkura
Kanemoto
Alistair Browning
De Jong
James Malcolm
Celliers' Brother
Chris Broun
Celliers (12 Years)
Yuya Uchida
Commandant of Military Prison
Director
Nagisa Ōshima
Screenplay
Nagisa Ōshima
Tagline
"Java, 1942 — A clash of cultures, a test of the human spirit."
Status
Released
Original Language
JA
Revenue
$2,306,560
Production
Recorded Picture Company, National Film Trustee Company, Antares-Nova, Oshima Productions, Broadbank Investments, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
CinemaSerf
April 14, 2022
This offers a really poignant look at what we might describe as mutual insanity. "Maj. Celliers" (David Bowie) is convicted by the occupying Japanese on the island of Java on citing rebellion. With hindsight, perhaps he would rather not have been, but he is spared the firing squad and sent to the POW camp of "Col Yonoi" (Ryuichi Sakamoto) who leaves much of the day to day brutality to his henchman...
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