Takaiwa Hitoshi

Movies

Until the Day of Liberation: Retracing Korean Japanese History
Cinematography
Shin Ki-soo spent his life collecting visual materials, and drew upon them to make this film about the history of zainichi Koreans in pre-war Japan. From the massacre of Koreans at the construction site of the Nakatsugawa hydroelectric power plant in Niigata Prefecture and the joint struggle of Korean and Japanese factory girls at the Kishiwada cotton mills to the dispute at the Sanshin Railroad construction site in Aichi Prefecture and the strike at the Aso coal mines in the Chikuho region of Kyushu, this film uncovers and assembles valuable testimony from many people who played key roles in the movement to free Korea from Japanese colonialism.
Ronin-gai
Director of Photography
Near the end of Japanese civil war, several disgraced ronin living in Edo's red light district attempt to regain their honor by defending a brothel from a hostile militia bent on wiping out local prostitutes.
Message from Minamata to the World
Director of Photography
An update to the story of Minamata disease, going up to 1976
Minamata Revolt: A People's Quest for Life
Cinematography
Second film in Tsuchimoto's series on Minamata disease - the victims of Minamata disease negotiate directly with Chisso Corporation (responsible for dumping toxic water into Minamata Bay) for life-long medical care and compensation.
Minamata Report 1 - The Central Pollution Board
Cinematography