The internal trailer for Minamata, starring Johnny Depp as war photographer W. Eugene Smith has come online, thanks to Empire. Let’s take a look.
Damn, this looks like it could be quite good. I’m a fan of Depp (mostly thanks to Pirates of the Caribbean), and it’s nice to see him return to more dramatic fare. Minamata also has Bill Nighy acting opposite Depp meaning this is sort of a Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest reunion which I fully support.
In addition to Depp and Nighy, the film also stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Katherine Jenkins, Jun Kunimura, Lily Robinson, Ryo Kase, Akiko Iwase, and Minami.
Plot Synopsis:
New York, 1971. Following his celebrated days as one of the most revered photojournalists of World War II, W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) has become a recluse, disconnected from society and his career. But a secret commission from Life magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy) sends him to the Japanese coastal city of Minamata, which has been ravaged by mercury poisoning; the result of decades of gross industrial negligence by the Chisso Corporation. There, Smith immerses himself in the community, documenting their efforts to live with Minamata Disease and their passionate campaign to achieve recognition from Chisso and the Japanese government. Armed with only his trusted camera, Smith’s images from the toxic village give the disaster a heartbreaking human dimension, and his initial assignment turns into a life-changing experience.
Minamata hits U.K. theaters February 12, 2021. No U.S. release date has been set yet.
What do you guys think? Interested in seeing this at all?
