• Director(s):

    JENKINS (PAUL)

  • Producer(s):

    ARTE FRANCE, ARTURO MIO, SUBREAL PRODUCTIONS

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2012

  • Language(s):

    German, English, French

  • Rights:

    NON-THEATRICAL, TV, VOD, DVD, INTERNET

From 1889 to 1949, General Kanji Ishiwara's military, ideological and political career took in the key moments of Japanese history, in a most spectacular and novel-like way. It included the forced opening of Japan to the West, the Hiroshima disaster, as well as the attack on China or Pearl Harbor.

Most Europeans believe the Second World War started on September 1, 1939, the day the German Army invaded Poland. They also think that the conflict spread to Asia on September 7, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. In fact, the origins of the conflict go back well before then, namely on September 18, 1931 when Manchuria was invaded by a now-forgotten Japanese general: Ishiwara Kanji. From the 1920s onwards, he set out to propel Japan on a path to confrontation with America and its Allies.

This fascinating story sheds a new light on the Pacific War. One of its many strong points is the fact that Ishiwara filmed his men in the military, his daily life, his social life, by himself with a Pathé Baby 9.5mm. A unique opportunity to see this period through the eyes of one of its key players.