Nuclear Nation II
フタバから遠く離れて 第二部
Funahashi Atsushi
Japan/114min./2014
Nuclear Nation II follows a new group of people exiled from Futaba, the region occupied by the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Since the 1960s, Futaba had been promised prosperity with tax breaks and major subsidies to make up for the presence of the plant... until the townspeople lost their homeland on March 11, 2011. The film portrays their lives as refugees in an abandoned high school, and in temporary housing. The political fallout from the nuclear disaster results in conflict between residents, and the mayor is forced to resign. Many decide to move back to Fukushima prefecture, just outside the evacuation zone. The town finds itself divided by the arbitrariness of evacuation, radiation levels, and compensation guidelines from the plant's operator. And then, the Japanese government announces a plan to turn Futaba into an official, literal wasteland. Is it possible to truly compensate the townspeople for what they have lost? Through their agonies and frustrations, the film questions the real cost of nuclear energy and unbridled capitalism.
Title in English | Nuclear Nation II |
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Title in Original Language | フタバから遠く離れて 第二部 |
Director(s) | Funahashi Atsushi |
Director's Bio/Filmography | Funahashi Atsushi was born in Osaka, Japan, and graduated from Tokyo University with a B.A. in cinema studies. He moved to New York in 1997 and studied film directing at the School of Visual Arts. His debut feature echoes (2001) was well received by critics and film festivals, winning three jury and audience awards at Annonay International Film Festival in France. The film has been theatrically distributed in the USA and Japan. His second film, Big River (2006), starring Jo Odagiri, was selected for the Berlinale Co-Production Market and PPP (Pusan Promotion Plan) at its project stage. Produced by Office Kitano, the film was shown at various film festivals (including Berlin, Pusan, Karlovy Vary, Sao Paolo, and Shanghai) and was released worldwide by Celluloid Dreams Director's Label. Funahashi has also directed several HDTV documentaries on social issues and New York ethnic culture for US/Japanese networks. "For the Joyful Moment of Life" (2005), won a Telly Award. Funahashi moved back to Tokyo in 2007 and has started directing films in Japan. "Deep in the Valley(2009)", "Nuclear Nation I & II (2012, 2014)", and "Cold Bloom (2013, produced by Office Kitano)" are all premiered at Berlin International Film Festival and theatrically released in many countries. His latest film is “RAISE YOUR ARMS AND TWIST Documentary of NMB48”, a documentary essay on Japanese idol culture. |
Year of Completion | 2014 |
Nationality of the Film | Japan |
Running Time | 114 min. |
Aspect Ratio | Video: 16:9 |
Color | Color |
Screening Format | BDHDCAMDVD |
Shooting Locations | Saitama, Fukushima |
Shooting Dates/Periods | Jan 2012 - Aug 2014 |
Names of Characters | Katsutaka Idogawa, Shiro Izawa, Soichiro Saito, Hiroyuki Kono |
Language of Commentary and Dialogue | Japanese, |
Subtitles | English, |
Date of First Public Screening | 2014/11/15 |
Place of First Public Screening (Country) | Japan |
Date of First Public Screening in Japan | Nov 15, 2014 |
Previous Screenings at Other Film Festivals and Events | Berlin international film festival 2015 |
Staff Credits |
Photography: Funahashi Atsushi Editing: Funahashi Atsushi Music: Sakamoto Ryuichi |
Producer | Hashimoto Yoshiko (DOCUMENTARY JAPAN) |
Distributor / Distribution Company | World Sales: Wide House (France) |
Official Website for the Film | http://nuclearnation.jp/jp/part2/ |
Other Online Access to the film | |
Screenings at the Past YIDFF Programs and Events | None |