Minamata

What's it about?

Minamata is a drama film based on real-life events. Set in 1971, the film follows tortured war photojournalist Eugene (Gene) Smith who goes on a mission to document the devastating effects of mercury poisoning on a coastal Japanese community. Upon arrival in Japan, Gene is met with hostility from the owners of Chisso, the industrial plant responsible for polluting the wastewater with toxins. With the support of local activists and Aileen, a Japanese translator, Gene begins to unmask the devastating effects of corporate greed.

What to expect

The film deals with the horrors of war and the harm to victims of toxic poisoning. Suffering from PTSD, some of Gene's nightmares show haunting imagery of dead bodies in muddy trenches. There are brief images of the effects of mercury poisoning including dead and/or deformed bodies (such as twisted limbs and hands), a father carrying a dead child, and cats and people convulsing. Some scenes of violence may also startle younger viewers. While this content is not strong enough to warrant a restriction, it is more suitable for mature audiences.