Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Minamata

  • 20202020
  • RR
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
19K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,990
552
Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
New York, 1971. Following his celebrated days as one of the most revered photojournalists of World War II, W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) has become a recluse, disconnected from society and his career. But a secret commission from Life magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy) sends him to the Japanese coastal city of Minamata, which has been ravaged by mercury poisoning; the result of decades of gross industrial negligence by the country's Chisso Corporation.
 
There, Smith immerses himself in the community, documenting their efforts to live with Minamata Disease and their passionate campaign to achieve recognition from Chisso and the Japanese government. Armed with only his trusted camera, Smith's images from the toxic village give the disaster a heartbreaking human dimension, and his initial assignment turns into a life-changing experience.
Play trailer1:49
4 Videos
47 Photos
  • Drama
War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
19K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,990
552
  • Director
    • Andrew Levitas
  • Writers
    • David Kessler
    • Stephen Deuters
    • Andrew Levitas
  • Stars
    • Akiko Iwase
    • Kogarashi Wakasugi
    • Johnny Depp
Top credits
  • Director
    • Andrew Levitas
  • Writers
    • David Kessler
    • Stephen Deuters
    • Andrew Levitas
  • Stars
    • Akiko Iwase
    • Kogarashi Wakasugi
    • Johnny Depp
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 174User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos4

    International Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    International Trailer
    Minamata
    Trailer 2:12
    Minamata
    Minamata
    Trailer 1:48
    Minamata
    Minamata - Official US Trailer
    Trailer 2:12
    Minamata - Official US Trailer

    Photos47

    Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp in Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp at an event for Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp at an event for Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp in Minamata (2020)
    Jun Kunimura in Minamata (2020)
    Minamata (2020)
    Johnny Depp in Minamata (2020)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Akiko Iwase
    Akiko Iwase
    • Masako Matsumuraas Masako Matsumura
    Kogarashi Wakasugi
    • Akiko Matsumuraas Akiko Matsumura
    Johnny Depp
    Johnny Depp
    • W. Eugene Smithas W. Eugene Smith
    Katherine Jenkins
    Katherine Jenkins
    • Millieas Millie
    Bill Nighy
    Bill Nighy
    • Robert Hayesas Robert Hayes
    Minami
    Minami
    • Aileenas Aileen
    Nikaru Inagawa
    • Giichi Matsushimaas Giichi Matsushima
    Sonata Molocajeviene
    • Jenniferas Jennifer
    Muneaki Kitsukawa
    • Tomoki Sakaias Tomoki Sakai
    Tadanobu Asano
    Tadanobu Asano
    • Tatsuo Matsumuraas Tatsuo Matsumura
    Ryô Kase
    Ryô Kase
    • Kiyoshias Kiyoshi
    • (as Ryo Kase)
    Hiroyuki Sanada
    Hiroyuki Sanada
    • Mitsuo Yamazakias Mitsuo Yamazaki
    Jun Kunimura
    Jun Kunimura
    • Junichi Nojimaas Junichi Nojima
    Yosuke Hosoi
    • Daikias Daiki
    Aoki Yuzu
    • Sigeruas Sigeru
    Lily Robinson
    Lily Robinson
    • Diandraas Diandra
    Aiko Sakakura
    • Enforcer's Motheras Enforcer's Mother
    Masayoshi Haneda
    Masayoshi Haneda
    • Enforceras Enforcer
    • Director
      • Andrew Levitas
    • Writers
      • David Kessler
      • Stephen Deuters
      • Andrew Levitas
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Waiting for the Barbarians
    5.9
    Waiting for the Barbarians
    City of Lies
    6.4
    City of Lies
    Puffins Impossible
    8.6
    Puffins Impossible
    The Professor
    6.7
    The Professor
    Dior: Sauvage - Legend of the Magic Hour
    7.9
    Dior: Sauvage - Legend of the Magic Hour
    Mortdecai
    5.5
    Mortdecai
    Dior: Sauvage
    7.6
    Dior: Sauvage
    Lucky Them
    6.1
    Lucky Them
    Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie
    5.8
    Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The Movie
    The Libertine
    6.2
    The Libertine
    Transcendence
    6.2
    Transcendence
    Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
    7.3
    Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The city of Minamata, Kumamoto, declined to lend its name as a supporter to a local screening held in August 2021 organized by volunteers, prior to the nationwide release of the film in Japan in September 2021. The city told The Asahi Shimbun that it was uncertain whether the film depicted historical events accurately and was conducive to dispelling discrimination and prejudice against patients. Kumamoto Prefecture, on the other hand, supported the screening.
    • Goofs
      Johnny Depp sings Forever Young by Bob Dylan in the film in 1971. The song was written in 1973 and released in 1974.
    • Connections
      Featured in Radio Dolin: Why do need an Oscar, gray-bearded Johnny Depp, shaurma or shaverma (2021)

    User reviews174

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Simply amazing...
    "Minamata" is a Drama movie in which we follow the photographer William Eugene Smith traveling to some coastal villages in Japan to capture with his camera the effect of mercury poisoning on people.

    I was simply amazed by this movie because it had an interesting plot that was based on real events and since I did not know about them I was shocked. The direction which was made by Andrew Levitas was very good and he presented very well the whole story behind mercury poisoning and he also did a good job on the way he used some old footage of that time. The interpretation of Johnny Depp who played as William Eugene Smith was simply outstanding. Some other interpretations that have to be mentioned were Minami's who played as Aileen, Hiroyuki Sanada's who played as Mitsuo Yamazaki and Jun Kunimura's who played as Junichi Nojima. In conclusion, I have to say that "Minamata" is an amazing movie and I highly recommend everyone to watch it because you will learn something about a huge environmental problem that affected many people and many families.
    helpful•33
    2
    • Thanos_Alfie
    • Oct 23, 2021

    Everything That's New on Hulu in July

    Everything That's New on Hulu in July

    There's a whole lot to love about Hulu's streaming offerings this month—get excited for brand-new series premieres and some of our favorite comedies and dramas.
    See the full list
    [object Object]
    Photos

    FAQ4

    • What is the name of the new global environmental action by the United Nations?
    • Why has AIP not yet released this on DVD or any VOD medium? It is listed as released in Feb. (is that right?). It is an important film and needs widespread availability.
    • Why is there a release date of February 5, 2021 in USA but there hasn't been any actual release?? I really want to watch this movie!!

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 8, 2021 (United Arab Emirates)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Languages
      • Japanese
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Thảm Họa Minamata
    • Filming locations
      • Belgrade, Serbia
    • Production companies
      • Metalwork Pictures
      • Head Gear Films
      • Infinitum Nihil
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,914,110
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Johnny Depp and Minami in Minamata (2020)
    Top Gap
    What was the official certification given to Minamata (2020) in Canada?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    Editors' Picks: What to Watch Now on Netflix
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Hollywood Romances: Our Favorite Couples
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.