The man who gave Godzilla its roar barely survived the bomb that inspired it.
A documentary film that delves into the life and cinematic career of one of Japan's most prolific directors: Ishiro Honda. The film will spotlight Honda's filmography from both a historical and personal perspective, exploring his contributions to the Japanese film industry and his firsthand experiences of war, from which he barely survived. It will also delve into his profound feelings regarding the atomic bomb, a subject that became an obsession for him and was frequently reflected in his films. The documentary will analyze Honda's body of work through interviews with individuals who had the privilege of collaborating with him, as well as experts on Honda's films from both Japan and the Western world. Furthermore, the film will uncover Honda's friendship and professional relationship with director Akira Kurosawa.
Direction
Bellés lets collaborators paint Honda in intimate strokes
Production
Rare archival footage and family access feel like stolen time
Director
Jonathan Bellés
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Honda directed 44 films in 26 years yet is remembered for roughly three. His 1965 propaganda film for the Japan Self-Defense Forces remains virtually unseen.
Joe Dante reveals Honda visited the set of The Howling specifically to praise the transformation scene — a full-circle moment for a man whose monsters were always metaphors first.
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