The Next Reel Film Podcast

How did Clint Eastwood end up directing a Japanese language film about a battle during WWII? What does this film say about Japanese culture and its rituals, notably those during war? How strong is this cast led by Ken Watanabe? Tune in to this week’s show to get answers to these questions and more.

Show Notes

During pre-production on Flags of Our Fathers, Clint Eastwood was doing research and became curious about who it was on the Japanese side of the Battle of Iwo Jima who was leading their troops. This interest led him down a rabbit hole of curiosities that made him want to tell that story too. When he brought this up to producer Steven Spielberg, they decided that it was interesting enough to make a second film detailing that perspective. With that, Letters From Iwo Jima was born. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Foreign Language Films Nominated for Best Picture series with Eastwood’s 2006 film Letters From Iwo Jima.

We talk about the interesting journey this film took in getting put together as a companion piece to the film Eastwood was originally making about the famous WWII battle. We discuss the reasons this film ended up in our series but was not eligible to be nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. We look at the nature of Japanese society and the rituals depicted in this film, and chat about why this film connected with so many Japanese people on its release. We chat about Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, and Ryô Kase and look at what they each bring to the table. We also talk about the casting and the nature of acting, and why this was Phyllis Huffman’s last film with Eastwood as his casting director. We look at the incredible albeit muted cinematography of Tom Stern paired with the great production design by the legendary Henry Bumstead in his last film. And we touch on the music and the composers behind it.

It’s another strong entry into our series and despite its sobering content, we have a fantastic conversation about it. So check it out then tune in. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.