'Minamata': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Johnny Depp's film on Japan's mercury poisoning
Johnny Depp-starrer drama film ‘Minamata’ is all set to be released this week across theatres in the US. The film is based on the book by the same name by photographer Eugene Smith and revolves around the horrific history of mercury poisoning in coastal areas of Minamata, Japan.
The film opened to good reviews at Berlin International Film Festival last year. Critics have termed it as one of the best performances by Depp.
Before you book your tickets for ‘Minamata’, here is all you need to know about the film.
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Release date
‘Minamata’ will release in theatres across the US on February 5, 2021. It will be distributed by American International Pictures. The UK release of the film is scheduled for February 12, 2021, by Vertigo Releasing. It will also be released on VOD on February 5.
Plot
The movie has been adapted from the book ‘Minamata: The Story of the Poisoning of a City, and of the People Who Chose to Carry the Burden of Courage’, written by W Eugene Smith and Aileen M Smith. The book is a semi-autobiographical account by American war photographer Eugene Smith who visited the Japanese coastal city of Minamata. He was sent on a secret commission from Life Magazine to document the adverse effects of mercury poisoning among the local residents, owing to industrial negligence for decades by Chisso Corporation.
The film follows the journey of Smith through the town of Minamata and vividly recreates the past horrors of the ‘Minamata disease’ arising from extreme mercury poisoning.
Cast
Johnny Depp
Hollywood star Johnny Depp plays the protagonist W Eugene Smith in the movie. Depp, a globally acclaimed actor, needs no introduction for film enthusiasts. Hailed as one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood, Depp has been nominated thrice for Academy Awards for Best Actor. He won the 2008 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his brilliant performance in ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’, and also has 10 Golden Globe Best Actor nominations to his name.
After making a remarkable debut in 1984 with ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’, Depp has mesmerized audiences with his extraordinary performances in movies such as ‘Edward Scissorhands’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘The Tourist’, ‘Into The Woods’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’, among many others. He became a worldwide sensation after essaying the role of Jack Sparrow in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise.
Bill Nighy
Veteran English actor Bill Nighy is playing the role of Robert Hayes in Minamata, the head of Life Magazine who reluctantly supports Eugene Smith throughout his challenging mission.
Nighy is reckoned for his work in film, television as well as theatre. You might remember him as Billy Mack from the superhit 2003 film ‘Love Actually’ or the Minister of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part I’. He acted alongside Depp in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movies as well, portraying the role of Davy Jones. He is noted for his work in movies such as ‘Underworld’, ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’, ‘The Constant Gardener’, ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ and many more. He has earned several Golden Globe nominations and a Tony award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his Broadway performance in ‘Skylight’ alongside Carey Mulligan.
Hiroyuki Sanada
Famous Japanese actor Hiroyuki Sanada plays the role of Mitsuo Yamazaki in the movie ‘Minamata’. With a prominent career spanning over five decades, Sanada is recognized for his role as the Immortal in ‘Kirito No Séngyo’, as Tasogare Seibei in ‘The Twilight Samurai’ and as ‘The Fool’ in the Shakespearean play King Lear in the UK. In fact, he has worked in both Japanese and British theatre. In Hollywood, he has acted in iconic movies such as ‘The Last Samurai’, ‘The Wolverine’, ‘47 Ronin’ and ‘Mortal Kombat’.
Creators
‘Minamata’ has been directed by producer, actor and painter Andrew Levitas, and the screenplay has been written by popular author David Kessler.
Trailer
The captivating trailer of ‘Minamata’ is available on YouTube.
Where to watch
You can catch the film screening in theatres near you as well as on VOD. The running time of the film is 115 minutes.
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