JOSHUA NIELDMAN / PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes I want see it; I' a history and film fanatic and love airplanes. Distort history?
Absolutely, I think filmmakers have a license to manipulate historical fact. The film will
succeed simply because of the appreciation the Japanese have for the American product. I
think Ben Affleck's a talented guy.
LEE VAN ELSLANDER / WRITER & THINKER
I want to watch the film because I love seeing Americans in trouble (joking!). I don't
think producers have anything to do with history. Success! Everything is a success in
Japan. I know I am and I'm from Canada!! I like Ben Affleck, he's a good actor.
HIROKO ORITA / STUDENT
I won't see Pearl Harbor because I don't like action flicks. Since it's a movie,
it's OK to change history a little bit, but it should stick to the main facts. The film
should do well since the subject of changing Japanese textbooks at school is a heated
topic at present, and it's a good time to focus on the issue. As for Ben Affleck, I don't
know much about him.
Diving for pearls Photos by Beezer
As far as summer Hollywood
blockbusters go, the opening of Pearl Harbor in Japan this month will be more
contentious than most. Already questioned for its dubious historical content, the film is
sure to be heavily scrutinized by the Japanese public. This week we asked filmgoers their
motivation, if any, for seeing Pearl Harbor, whether it will it be a hit, whether
producers should be able to distort history, and what they think of Ben Affleck - good
actor or just another pretty face?
HIROYUKI TAKAYAMA / FILMMAKER &
ACTOR
Yes, I'll check out the film because I'm interested to see what Americans are thinking.
I'm confident they haven't played with the historical facts too much. I don't think it
will be a hit because Japanese people don't like to see things that make them look bad.
Ben Affleck is not a great actor because he is always acting with his eyes.
STEFANOSKI / PHILOSOPHER
I'm planning to see Pearl Harbor because it's a love story, and I heard the
location is an interesting place for a date. As for history, what is historical fact,
please? Yes it will be a hit in Japan - "love your enemy." I think Ben Affleck
is an average actor with an average face.
TOKYO TALK: