japanese parliament goes to the movies

[Roland Domenig]

a happy new year to all of you.
i hope you have all made your new years resolution.

apropos. here the new years resolution of morita kensaku, a former actor and
now member of the japanese parliament: to make a film with fellow parliament
members in 2003. 
morita, producer of the film, started his career in 1969 as new face for
shochiku, played in films like SUNA NO UTSUWA, and was successful with
tv-series like ORE WA OTOKO DA! in 1994 he was elected to the upper house as
independent candidate, in 1996 he joined the liberal democratic party and in
1998 he was elected to the lower house of the japanese diet. he campaigned
for the instalment of the government film subsidy system that starts this
year, and he regularly organised 'kengaku'-tours for parliament members to
film locations. 
there is yet no concrete story for the film, but according to morita it
shall be a bright film, perhaps a comedy. the plan is to use professional
actors but as staff only parliament members. director of the film will be
ito shintaro, who like morita is a ldp-member of the lower house. ito
studied film directing at the american film institute and has a master
degree from harward.

we will see how long morita keeps his resolution...


roland domenig
institute of east asian studies
vienna university