audience comments
From the Sydney special screening at Chauvel Cinema Tuesday 26 August:
“I realised as it started that I had a very one-dimensional picture in my mind of Tanaka, so it was terrific to see his personality fleshed out by your film. His story became so more complex as you revealed more about his personal and public lives.
I thought moments like the father trying to translate lyrics written by his son were so moving. And the rehearsals for the annual general meeting were hilarious.
Thanks again for a great film. We talked about it for a long time after seeing it, and I always think that that’s the sign of an insightful, provoking work”.
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“I really enjoyed the film; it offered a very different perspective on Japan, one far removed from both geisha-like cliches and economic success stories. I liked seeing a Japan of outer suburbs, unremarkable housing, public transport, ordinary streets and factory/office gates.
But what I think I admired most of all was the way you opened the film out to include family members and fellow non-conformists, and thereby give us a perspective that was more than an individual mission. I thought this was masterly because Tetsuro for all his rhetoric about society seems rather self-focused, so these other voices were a wonderful counterpoint”.
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“I had a wonderful night last night. For me the film was as much about your life’s work as Tanaka-San’s.
I loved seeing Mark play his banjo and rehearse his pronunciation, the poignancy of Tanaka-san reading his son’s poem, the funny little asides – how he failed the tea – making ceremony because he questioned the rules! and the bit about the man and wife cutting the wedding cake together – he laughs at this , then his wife quietly says “yes, we did that!”
Maree, I haven’t see any of your other films fully yet, but I really likes the way you let them (the subject) talk.
Fantastic editing too”.
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“Your film was funny and clever and cheeky – just like you lot”.
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“This should have been sent the minute I arrived home from your incredible movie.
I can’t even try to imagine how you even made the decision to make his story live for us, let alone trace the events at such a distance from home. Under those circumstances the result is miraculous and just has to be released to a very broad public. Of course I immediately thought of trade unions and political avenues but it should just go out into … like … everywhere”.
