Oppenheimer: The Oscar-Winning Film Finally Released in Japan with Trigger Warning
The best picture winner Oppenheimer finally premiered in Japan on March 29. This blockbuster hit the screens worldwide in July at the same time as Barbie. Barbie was released in Japan in August, but Oppenheimer didn’t get released in cinemas for months.
Universal Pictures left Japan in their global release schedule for Oppenheimer, and after that, a Japanese distributor, Bitters End picked the movie and decided to release it after the Oscar award ceremony.
There is no explanation given at that time for the delay, but there was speculation that the film would create controversy in Japan because it was the only country ever to suffer the nuclear attack and its aftereffects.
In a chit-chat with Reuters before the film’s release, Teruko Yahata, an atomic bomb survivor, said that she was eager to watch the film, and hoped that it would give new strength regarding the nuclear weapon debate.
When the United States dropped the atomic bombs, in Hiroshima around 140000 people died and in Nagasaki, it was 74000. The incident happened in 1945 the days before World War II ended.
The film was released in Japan after 8 months, after so many controversies and concerns about how it will impact the theatres in Japan. On social media, there have been some pictures, showing signs in some theatres in Tokyo that the film features scenes of nuclear tests that could create uneasiness among the viewers. It ranked in the fourth position at the box office in Japan following its release.
The viewers from Japan expressed mixed feelings through social media after watching the movie. One user wrote that he had a mixed emotion when the names of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were mentioned. The user also added that he was fascinated by the beautiful description of atomic bomb testing scenes.
Another user described that it was heavy, heart-wrenching, and sad, and yet it was beautiful.
About Oppenheimer
The biopic film Oppenheimer was directed by the well-known director Christopher Nolan. It centers on the story of the theoretical physicist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was the mastermind in developing the nuclear weapon. Cillian Murphy played the role of Oppenheimer.
The film was announced in September 2021 and premiered on July 11, 2023, at Le Grand Rex and theatrically released on July 21, 2023. The film is critically acclaimed for its performance, editing, Nolan’s screenplay and direction, cinematography, and visuals.
Oppenheimer nearly collected 1 billion worldwide and became the third highest-grossing film of 2023. It also broke several records including the highest-grossing biographical film and World War II-related film, and the second-highest-grossing R-rated film.
The film won seven Academy Awards, including the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Actor. It also grabs five Golden Globe Awards and seven British Academy Awards.