Based on the biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s 2023 blockbuster starring Cillian Murphy made its way to the Oscars and bagged the highest number of accolades during the 96th Academy Awards. Earning close to a billion dollars at the box office, following its release, Oppenheimer was hailed by fans worldwide, except for Japan.
Given that the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took a toll on the Japanese citizens, it was considered only natural for the theatres to avoid the release of Oppenheimer. However, on a recent note, the film finally premiered in the nation where two cities were obliterated by the very atomic bomb, that was the subject of the movie. With understandably mixed reactions, Oppenheimer hit Japanese theatres.
After Previous Avoidance, Oppenheimer Hit Japanese Theatres
Adapted from Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan birthed his Oscar-winning blockbuster Oppenheimer. Starring Cillian Murphy in the titular role of the theoretical physicist, Nolan peeled layers of emotional drama, court proceedings, political nuisance, scientific achievements, and tragedies through his 2023 movie.
Offering a proper balance between the glorifying achievements of America and the tragedies that followed, Christopher Nolan flawlessly addressed the depths and the disasters of World War 2. Pitted against Warner Bros. Barbie to release on the same day, although the film failed to topple Greta Gerwig‘s box office collection, Oppenheimer undoubtedly made a statement at the Oscars, bagging seven trophies to its name.
Despite the film’s worldwide success and appreciation, Christopher Nolan‘s Oppenheimer was avoided by Japan, for obvious reasons. Given the atrocities and tragedies they faced 79 years back after the Americans obliterated Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War 2, Japan delayed the film’s release as per Japan Times, whose worldwide screenings in July 2023 were only weeks before the anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombings.
However, after months of stalling Oppenheimer’s release in Japanese theatres, the movie finally made its way to the nation that was most tragically affected by the atomic bomb shown in the film. Premiering on Friday, following Christopher Nolan’s Oscar win, the World War 2 drama attracted a few eyes on the silver screen along with understandably mixed reactions.
Christopher Nolan’s Film Received Mixed Reactions in Japan
Receiving reviews from the survivors of the man-made tragedy as per THR, Oppenheimer earned its first reaction from Toshiyuki Mimaki, a Hiroshima bombing survivor who was 3 years old back then. Currently the chairperson of a group of bomb victims, Mimaki claimed to be fascinated by the story of the scientist.
“What were the Japanese thinking, carrying out the attack on Pearl Harbor, starting a war they could never hope to win… During the whole movie, I was waiting and waiting for the Hiroshima bombing scene to come on, but it never did.”
Christopher Nolan’s movie didn’t directly depict the aftermath of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings to avoid the gruesomeness. Instead, it focused on Oppenheimer as a person and his internal conflicts after learning about how his discovery vaporized thousands of people instantly and killed a thousand more in the days following.
“From Hiroshima’s standpoint, the horror of nuclear weapons was not sufficiently depicted. The film was made in a way to validate the conclusion that the atomic bomb was used to save the lives of Americans.” Former Hiroshima Mayor Takashi Hiraoka stated.
Despite being emotionally vulnerable by the subject of the film, several moviegoers much like the former Mayor offered their praises to Christopher Nolan and his movie. Addressing the cinematic brilliance and the flawless depiction of the storyline, Japanese citizens were overall impressed by the Oscar-winner.
