Taro Okamoto (1911-1996), one of Japan's most famous artists, traveled to Okinawa in 1959 and 1966. The reason for these trips was his journey to rediscover Japan, in search of his identity as a Japanese person. More than 60 years ago, Okamoto captured the "poignant tenderness of life" of the people, and concluded: "It is in Okinawa that we can find the lost. In Okinawa, I rediscovered myself for the first time." This documentary goes on a journey through Okinawa led by Okamoto himself, 50 years after Okinawa's reversion to Japan.

A life story of Taro Okamoto, one of the most prominent Japanese avant-garde artists of the 20th Century. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2011, the drama depicts his struggle for the completion of his emblematic work "The Tower of Taro," known as the symbol of the Osaka Expo in 1970, and his eccentric relationships with his family.

1962 Japanese movie

Leaning over a fence surrounding a U.S. military base, a woman is happily eating ice cream someone gave her. Those who know the status quo of Okinawa will realise that the ice cream symbolises both a promotion policy in compensation for the accepted bases and an image of tourism unilaterally imposed. The filmmaker herself plays the role of the woman who plays the role of (the people in) Okinawa itself (themselves) relying on such realities. Through simulationism, the film embodies the present tense of the local culture’s disappearance, transformation into tourist attractions and rapid homogenisation.

Leaning over a fence surrounding a U.S. military base, a woman is happily eating ice cream someone gave her. Those who know the status quo of Okinawa will realise that the ice cream symbolises both a promotion policy in compensation for the accepted bases and an image of tourism unilaterally imposed. The filmmaker herself plays the role of the woman who plays the role of (the people in) Okinawa itself (themselves) relying on such realities. Through simulationism, the film embodies the present tense of the local culture’s disappearance, transformation into tourist attractions and rapid homogenisation.

Original video

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After World War II, when Okinawa was under control of the United States, the local yakuza prospered. But when Okinawa is returned to Japan, the mainland yakuza tries to take over; the local yakuza tries to compete. Now sides are drawn among the local yakuza guys who used to be best friends since their childhood, and brother fights brother. It results in the biggest yakuza war in Okinawa.

Original video

Original video