Minamata
Synopsis
"Minamata is the name of a fishing village in Japan," said the writer-director ("Peep Show," "Eva Peron," "Rusty Sat on a Hill One Dawn and Watched the Moon Go Down"), who wrote the piece with Mira-Lani Oglesby. "Chisso, a company that makes parts for plastic, dumped mercury waste into the water supply and the fishermen got sick. A high percentage of the villages depended on fish and fishing so their livelihoods dried up too. "The story of Minamata is just the departure point for the play," the writer said. "It's the ghost behind the play, the shadow over it. The piece is a meditation on beliefs, ways of thinking, how operatives in the system create a way of thinking that makes it possible to destroy life in order to improve it. There's a thesis that in order to progress you have to allow for destruction. No. You cannot buy into that way of thinking, because it's erroneous and hurtful."
Release History & Theatrical Window
October 1, 1989
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Reza Abdoh
- Screenplay & Story
- Mira-Lani Oglesby, Reza Abdoh
- Original Title
- Minamata
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 15m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Reza Abdoh
Mira-Lani Oglesby, Reza Abdoh
Department Leadership Roster
Mira-Lani Oglesby
Writer
Reza Abdoh
Director
Reza Abdoh
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Minamata.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Minamata.
1989
1989
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Frequently Asked Questions About Minamata
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Minamata about?
"Minamata is the name of a fishing village in Japan," said the writer-director ("Peep Show," "Eva Peron," "Rusty Sat on a Hill One Dawn and Watched the Moon Go Down"), who wrote the piece with Mira-Lani Oglesby. "Chisso, a company that makes parts for plastic, dumped mercury waste into the water supply and the fishermen got sick. A high percentage of the villages depended on fish and fishing so their livelihoods dried up too. "The story of Minamata is just the departure point for the play," the writer said. "It's the ghost behind the play, the shadow over it. The piece is a meditation on beliefs, ways of thinking, how operatives in the system create a way of thinking that makes it possible to destroy life in order to improve it. There's a thesis that in order to progress you have to allow for destruction. No. You cannot buy into that way of thinking, because it's erroneous and hurtful."
Who directed Minamata?
Minamata was directed by Reza Abdoh.
Who stars in Minamata?
The principal cast of Minamata includes Not specified.
When was Minamata released and how long is it?
Minamata was released in 1989 with a total runtime of 2h 15m.