Alle 3 di notte
The documentary follows in the footsteps of the great Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis on two journeys he made to Japan in 1935 and 1957, [as recorded in his book "Travels in China and Japan"]. The seco…
Alle 3 di notte
The documentary follows in the footsteps of the great Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis on two journeys he made to Japan in 1935 and 1957, [as recorded in his book "Travels in China and Japan"]. The second trip was fatal as he was infected by the pandemic of 1957 (H2N2) and died soon afterwards. A narrator reads out excerpts from the book, which are accompanied by comments of Japanese academics and local people. The narration is juxtaposed with footage from modern Japan, accompanied by excerpts from works of Japanese art (cinema, manga, anime, paintings, i.a.). The story begins shortly before Nikos Kazantzakis enters Japan via boat, while he comments on the country's history and the new division of power that is taking shape before the beginning of World War II. The author's first stop is the city of Kobe, where he describes everyday life and the role of women and female workers in large industries. His passage to Osaka offers the potential for a more detailed description of the conditions in Japanese industry, as well as historic references to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the so called "Great Unifier" of Japan. The documentary presents modern depictions of Hideyoshi in video games and comic books, transposing Kazantzakis' thrilling narration to today. In Tokyo, his final destination, Kazantzakis presents the city's great contrasts: Modernization vs. Tradition, religion vs. materialism, traditional arts (such as Kabuki theatre) vs. the introduction of jazz music and other artistic movements, etc. The author also describes the descent to a militaristic worldview that characterized several industrial nations before WWII. The documentary concludes with a short reference to Kazantzakis' second trip through the eyes of his wife Eleni. The author will die from the Asian pandemic of 1957, shortly after his return to Europe.
Alle 3 di notte
Comedy
Film Details
The documentary follows in the footsteps of the great Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis on two journeys he made to Japan in 1935 and 1957, [as recorded in his book "Travels in China and Japan"]. The second trip was fatal as he was infected by the pandemic of 1957 (H2N2) and died soon afterwards. A narrator reads out excerpts from the book, which are accompanied by comments of Japanese academics and local people.
The narration is juxtaposed with footage from modern Japan, accompanied by excerpts from works of Japanese art (cinema, manga, anime, paintings, i.a.). The story begins shortly before Nikos Kazantzakis enters Japan via boat, while he comments on the country's history and the new division of power that is taking shape before the beginning of World War II. The author's first stop is the city of Kobe, where he describes everyday life and the role of women and female workers in large industries.
His passage to Osaka offers the potential for a more detailed description of the conditions in Japanese industry, as well as historic references to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the so called "Great Unifier" of Japan. The documentary presents modern depictions of Hideyoshi in video games and comic books, transposing Kazantzakis' thrilling narration to today. In Tokyo, his final destination, Kazantzakis presents the city's great contrasts: Modernization vs.
Tradition, religion vs. materialism, traditional arts (such as Kabuki theatre) vs. the introduction of jazz music and other artistic movements, etc.
The author also describes the descent to a militaristic worldview that characterized several industrial nations before WWII. The documentary concludes with a short reference to Kazantzakis' second trip through the eyes of his wife Eleni. The author will die from the Asian pandemic of 1957, shortly after his return to Europe..