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Podcast Episode 34: Johnny Depp Stars as Photographer W. Eugene Smith in ‘Minamata’

Podcast Episode 34: Johnny Depp Stars as Photographer W. Eugene Smith in ‘Minamata’

New movie (opens in February 2021) tells the story of W. Eugene Smith, who documented poisoning victims in a polluted Japanese city

There’s a new movie starring Johnny Depp as photographer W. Eugene Smith. Minamata (scheduled for release in Feb., 2021), takes a look at the outbreak of widespread mercury poisoning that occurred as a result of corporate pollution in Minamata, Japan.

Listen to my podcast episode about W. Eugene Smith with a discussion of his Minamata work

Episode 34 of the Fine Art Photography Podcast

Watch the official trailer for the Johnny Depp movie “Minamata”

Depp is a controversial figure and has recently been removed from other movie projects, but his performance is getting good early reviews. Like Smith, Depp is a complex person with his share of demons.

Another movie I highly recommend: The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith

I cannot recommend this documentary highly enough. It tells the story of W. Eugene Smith and his time in a ramshackle NYC loft, where he began photographing and recording the impromptu jazz jam sessions in an adjacent apartment. This movie is very good.

Here’s the official movie page, with a trailer.

The movie is currently available free with a subscription on Amazon Prime here.

W. Eugene Smith’s book about the Minamata crisis

Minamata: The Story of the Poisoning of a City, and of the People Who Chose to Carry the Burden of Courage. 1975, W. Eugene Smith and Aileen M. Smith

Thanks for reading.

Be sure to visit me on FacebookInstagram or Pinterest, or on my website at keithdotson.com.

~ Keith


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