Atomic controversy. Japan's delicate decision to premiere Nolan's 'Oppenheimer'
"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." This line, plucked from the Hindu holy text the Bhagavad Gita, was uttered by a 41-year-old physicist, as he oversaw the spectacular light show in the desert of Alamogordo, New Mexico. This reaction from J. Robert Oppenheimer is understandable, given that humanity had never before witnessed such destructive force.
3:22 PM EST, December 12, 2023
On August 6, 1945, the United States put Oppenheimer's scientific revelations to use and deployed an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, a similar catastrophe befell Nagasaki. The atomic onslaught on these Japanese cities is estimated to have caused over 400,000 fatalities.
Christopher Nolan's film, "Oppenheimer," has emerged as a frontrunner for the American Film Academy Awards. This is underscored by its multiple Golden Globe nominations. The movie garnered acclaim in eight categories - best drama, top-grossing film, director and screenplay (Nolan), lead actor (Cillian Murphy), supporting actor and actress (Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt), and best score (Ludwig Goransson). It goes without saying that "Oppenheimer" is a film worth recognizing.
Following several months of deliberation, a Japanese distributor surfaced, ready to bring Nolan's film, which premiered globally in mid-July, to moviegoers. "The decision was reached following extensive contemplation and conversation around the film's theme, which is particularly sensitive for us Japanese," reported a representative from the Bitters End firm.
It should be noted that Christopher Nolan's drama isn't just an Oscar contender but also a significant box-office hit. "Oppenheimer" has grossed a total of 951 million dollars globally (ranking third this season). If the movie proves to be a hit in Japan, it may surpass the one billion dollar mark.
