This past weekend was a monumental one for film enthusiasts worldwide, save for those of us in Japan. Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie' movie went head to head with Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer', both premiering simultaneously. Leading up to this cinematic showdown, the global buzz around 'Barbenheimer' took social media by storm. Margot Robbie's press tour wardrobe, waves of 'He’s just Ken' memes, and dramatic portraits of Cillian Murphy donning a fedora were all part of this cultural tide.
Yet, for Japanese moviegoers, this social media frenzy might be the closest we’ll get to a 'Barbenheimer' sensation. Gerwig's bubble-gum pink blockbuster is set to hit local cinemas on August 11, but there's no word on when 'Oppenheimer' will hit Japanese cinemas, if at all.
Now, it could be that translators are still slogging through the Japanese subtitles for Nolan's three-hour magnum opus. However, the film's absence in the local market is more likely due to its sensitive subject matter – the development of the world's first atomic bomb.
Atomic bomb-related movies aren't prohibited in Japan. In 2020, for instance, director Hiroshi Kurosaki debuted 'Gift of Fire', a drama exploring Japan's own attempts to pioneer nuclear weaponry.
Nevertheless, it appears that distributors are still assessing the potential demand for 'Oppenheimer' in Japan. Toho Towa, the premier distributor of Hollywood films in the country, has yet to announce its stance on Nolan's latest piece. Given the film's global acclaim and strong Oscars prospects, it may yet secure a Japanese release. For the sake of cinema, let's hope it arrives in Imax 70mm.
Read our glowing ‘Barbie’ review to fuel your excitement for the local release, or check out our five-star ‘Oppenheimer’ review to amplify your fomo.
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