Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence.

Richard Parker

I first saw 戦場のメリークリスマス when I was a student and I knew nothing about Japan. I was very moved by the tragedy of conflict but also the possibility of humanity bridging the divisions. Of course, David Bowie, who died this year, was charismatic and vunerable at the same time. His opposite was Ryuichi Sakamoto, the famous composer. But, for me, even when I had no idea who he was, Beat Takeshi brilliantly portrayed a complicated and, in the cultural context of the time, understandable character. The movie is set in Burma and when I talked about this with my grandmother later, I discovered that her brother had been a prisoner on the same Burma railroad. After I married, I found out that my wife's grandmother had been an engineer/guard on the same railroad. I wonder if they ever met?

Added to Saved

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

Comments (0)

Login to Comment Log in »
Popular ribbon

from:

in:

Mostrar categorías

Language Fluency

Inglés   Native
Japonés   Daily conversation

Ranking de artículos del tutor

  • Movies & Videography

    Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence.

    I first saw 戦場のメリークリスマス when I was a student and I knew nothing about Japan. I was very moved ...

    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker

    0
    4789
    2020-12-18
  • Inglés

    A vaccine is the key to unlocking those doors

    I've been stuck here in the north of England for a year and we can't even go down to London. Hol...

    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker

    1
    4126
    2021-01-5
  • Inglés

    The year we got kinder

    When they think about 2020, everyone will immediately remember the terrible corona virus, the peopl...

    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker

    0
    4101
    2021-01-2
  • Inglés

    Running to relax

    I know it's a little crazy, but when I'm going round and round through the trees in the park, I can...

    Richard Parker

    Richard Parker

    1
    3819
    2021-01-23
« Back to List of Tutor's Column
Got a question? Click to Chat