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Minamata

  • 2020
  • R
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,818
496
Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
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 country's 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.
Play trailer1:49
4 Videos
48 Photos
DocudramaDrama

War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.

  • Director
    • Andrew Levitas
  • Writers
    • David Kessler
    • Stephen Deuters
    • Andrew Levitas
  • Stars
    • Akiko Iwase
    • Kogarashi Wakasugi
    • Johnny Depp
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    24K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,818
    496
    • Director
      • Andrew Levitas
    • Writers
      • David Kessler
      • Stephen Deuters
      • Andrew Levitas
    • Stars
      • Akiko Iwase
      • Kogarashi Wakasugi
      • Johnny Depp
    • 195User reviews
    • 64Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos4

    International Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    International Trailer
    Minamata
    Trailer 2:12
    Minamata
    Minamata
    Trailer 2:12
    Minamata
    Minamata
    Trailer 1:48
    Minamata
    Minamata - Official US Trailer
    Trailer 2:12
    Minamata - Official US Trailer

    Photos47

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    + 42
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    Top cast40

    Edit
    Akiko Iwase
    Akiko Iwase
    • Masako Matsumura
    Kogarashi Wakasugi
    • Akiko Matsumura
    Johnny Depp
    Johnny Depp
    • W. Eugene Smith
    Katherine Jenkins
    Katherine Jenkins
    • Millie
    Bill Nighy
    Bill Nighy
    • Robert Hayes
    Minami
    Minami
    • Aileen
    Hikaru Inagawa
    • Giichi Matsushima
    Sonata Molocajeviene
    • Jennifer
    Muneaki Kitsukawa
    • Tomoki Sakai
    Tadanobu Asano
    Tadanobu Asano
    • Tatsuo Matsumura
    Ryô Kase
    Ryô Kase
    • Kiyoshi
    • (as Ryo Kase)
    Hiroyuki Sanada
    Hiroyuki Sanada
    • Mitsuo Yamazaki
    Jun Kunimura
    Jun Kunimura
    • Junichi Nojima
    Yosuke Hosoi
    • Daiki
    Yuzu Aoki
    • Sigeru
    Lily Robinson
    Lily Robinson
    • Diandra
    Aiko Sakakura
    • Enforcer's Mother
    Masayoshi Haneda
    Masayoshi Haneda
    • Enforcer
    • Director
      • Andrew Levitas
    • Writers
      • David Kessler
      • Stephen Deuters
      • Andrew Levitas
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews195

    7.224.3K
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    Featured reviews

    8yusufpiskin

    Welcome Back Mr. Depp

    "Minamata" is a disease that I was curious about while studying at the Faculty of Medicine.

    An amazing person, a unique photographer, W. Eugene Smith.

    The movie has a pretty good biography and stays away from fake drama. Because the story itself is already very painful.

    Andrew Levitas has done a great job of directing.

    Benoit Delhomme has created a magnificent composition with Sony camera and lenses.

    Ryuichi Sakamoto exclaimed that he was a master with every note of the music.

    And I was very happy to see J. Depp, whom I missed for a long time.

    Hiroyuki Sanada, you are an amazing detail.
    8justhoaxer

    A powerful Depp brought Smith to life

    Mr. Depp once again showed what a powerful actor he is. I am not going to write about charm and charisma, I will only note that all actors fall into two categories. The play of the first ceases to be perceived as a game and begins to be seen as life. The character comes to life. The play of the latter can be good or bad, but it is always clear that it is just a play. Depp belongs to the first category.
    9frank-liesenborgs

    Corporate greed and an excellent JD. What else you need?

    "Minamata" is a movie in which we follow the photographer William Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) traveling to coastal villages in Japan to capture with his camera the effect of mercury poisoning on people. It is a story about corporate greed (Yes, another one....) and thus less shocking as corporate greed is always put above human life. What I am trying to say is that there is nothing shocking about corporate greed as new stories emerge every other day. However this one is unique as it was kept a secret for so long and I never even heard about it. Excellent acting from Johnny Depp despite his personal problems. I enjoyed the cinematography as old footage was used and mixed into this movie. I strongly recommend everyone to watch this movie. It is simply a very good movie, story and the environment should concern all of us.
    7Alexander_Blanchett

    Johnny Depp is great in this very important film

    A solid and important film, especially these days with very recent topics. Its a story that deserved to be told at the cinema as it is groundbreaking, shocking and absolutely relevant. It also brings back Johnny Depp to his actually acting standards. Depp is wonderful, and not only because he successfully de-glammed for the role, but also because he found his acting weapons back. He truly gives a great performance in a film that sometimes suffers from its lengths. Because although the story is absolutely important to tell, director Andrew Levitas didn't really do where to go with it. He knew he wanted to tell it, he knew what he wanted to tell, but he didn't know how to put this in a 2 hours movie as there are some major lengths , especially in the midsection of the film And you sometimes had the impression this wold have worked better as a short film. To see Depp back to business it is worth to see and also to encounter newcomer Minami in the female lead is really something. She did great and shared a great chemistry with Johnny Depp. Bill Nighy also has his moments but can do better, his role was a bit underdeveloped. The song is amazing and there are many moments that are worth to mention, however as a whole it felt sometimes a bit too slow and without a definite direction.
    8lenagumerova

    It touches your soul

    If you are looking for entertainment - skip this film.

    It will skin your soul alive. So touching, frustrating, making clear where the "small people"'place is. Great characters, great acting, great directing. Thanks for including Johnny Depp, in this cancel culture you never know. But once again he proves that his talent is way above all the gossip.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The city of Minamata, Kumamoto, declined to lend its name as a supporter to a local screening held in August 2021 organized by volunteers, prior to the nationwide release of the film in Japan in September 2021. The city told The Asahi Shimbun that it was uncertain whether the film depicted historical events accurately and was conducive to dispelling discrimination and prejudice against patients. Kumamoto Prefecture, on the other hand, supported the screening.
    • Goofs
      Johnny Depp sings Forever Young by Bob Dylan in the film in 1971. The song was written in 1973 and released in 1974.
    • Connections
      Featured in Radio Dolin: Why do need an Oscar, gray-bearded Johnny Depp, shaurma or shaverma (2021)

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    FAQ

    • How long is Minamata?Powered by Alexa
    • What is the name of the new global environmental action by the United Nations?
    • Why has AIP not yet released this on DVD or any VOD medium? It is listed as released in Feb. (is that right?). It is an important film and needs widespread availability.
    • Why is there a release date of February 5, 2021 in USA but there hasn't been any actual release?? I really want to watch this movie!!

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 8, 2021 (United Arab Emirates)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
      • Persian
    • Also known as
      • Thảm Họa Minamata
    • Filming locations
      • Belgrade, Serbia(Dunav)
    • Production companies
      • Metalwork Pictures
      • American International Pictures (AIP)
      • Golan Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $755,878
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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