MINAMATA Updates

justintime · Unread post by **justintime** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:17 pm

There are 11,874 movie theaters (not screens) in the US. Minamata is today being released in 26(!) of those venues and will show for a whole week!

Worse than stomach turning, it is downright insulting.

https://www.safegraph.com/data/movie-th ... ted-states

Unread post by **fireflydances** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:50 pm

Only one week??????????? Why? So I need to immediately secure any ticket I can grab hold of ASAP to insure I get to see the film? I am going to go to the Washington DC theater which is roughly 50 miles from me. So worried now that I will miss this chance. This is so wrong. Why????

Newt · Unread post by **Newt** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 2:27 pm

"Distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films said expansion is to be determined." from Deadline.

It most likely is going to expand from week to week. That's how platform releases go, like with award films. A few theaters at first, then expanding.

I mean, Minamata was never planned to open wide like blockbusters and it likely won't go wide wide like 1,000 theaters plus but I'm guessing it'll have a solid theatrical footprint, especially if that first week run does very well.

SnoopyDances · Unread post by **SnoopyDances** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 5:02 pm

justintime · Unread post by **justintime** » Fri Feb 11, 2022 6:55 pm

https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/release-schedule

The above chart is an objective, strictly informational list of all films being released February 11, 2022, and later - “limited”, wide, special engagement, or otherwise. Minamata is nowhere to be found, nor have I seen or heard any publicity (trailers, ads, etc.) for the film anywhere other than what I specifically seek out, e.g. on YouTube or elsewhere online.

Geez. No matter how you look at those numbers - 26 theaters out of nearly 12,000 has to be an extremely limited release. Still hoping The Little Engine That Could philosophy will eventually triumph in this against-all-odds scenario…

Newt · Unread post by **Newt** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 5:01 am

Once again, the film will likely expand from week to week, and that won't necessarily show up right now on the link you posted (and the numbers doesn't always get updated to the latest info).

Stephen Deuters (one of the writers) liked my tweet saying the film should expand gradually.

Unread post by **fireflydances** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 2:01 pm

So, I just bought my ticket for this afternoon. There is going to be a smallish snowstorm tomorrow so I figured, be safe, go today. I live in the far outskirts of the Washington DC region, close to West Virginia. There are two Regal theaters in this region. I chose the one slightly closer -- 53 miles. There doesn't seem to be any other reservations for this afternoon show except me. I will report back after I see the film. Not surprised there is no box office rush -- no one but us knows about this film.

. Tried to convince one daughter to see it with me; she thought it sounded depressing. Basically I am doing this now, today, because I feel I have to support this film with my feet.

Hope they will eventually stream it. Oh, I did get a 'namaste' from Andrew Levitas when I reported what I was doing.

nebraska · Unread post by **nebraska** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 2:15 pm

Where I am in the rural Midwest the best I am hoping for is streaming and an eventual DVD/blu ray release. The discs are available in other region formats so perhaps eventually we will have access in the States as well.

SnoopyDances · Unread post by **SnoopyDances** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 5:33 pm

Unread post by **fireflydances** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 8:00 pm

I am so glad I went to see Minamata this afternoon. Three people, including me, in the theater and that actually turned out to be completely wonderful, like a private showing. I will not put the review here, as I assume it belongs elsewhere, but I will say that I loved this film. I loved it while I watched it, every minute. I loved it driving all the way home. Just a passionate and beautiful film that will fill you up. Thank you Andrew Levitas.

Unread post by **fireflydances** » Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:23 pm

So, I can't find a Minamata review tab, I guess they go here. Please feel free to move this if I am wrong.

This is one of those movies that I know I'll never forget. It starts slowly which was absolutely wonderful because I was able to spend a decent amount of time just watching Johnny in this role. You know how it is, right? You are there to see this film with this actor you admire greatly and you're not certain what those first moments will be like. There are Depp movies where Johnny is so completely invisible from the first moment and that can be disorienting, at least for me. And then there are movies where you see him and the role for a little bit before you get lost in the story. This film is the latter, and I found that such a gift because there was time to focus on Johnny folding himself into a new character. At least one review I read went on about how Johnny always overdoes the make-up side of things, but I can't agree with that assessment at all. Johnny was himself and Eugene Smith simultaneously -- the biggest difference was the hair.

Eugene Smith is clearly a man of regrets. He's broke, his kids hate him, he's sold all his photography equipment and he wants is to be done, done with everything. His first meeting with Aileen is awkward. She tells him about Minamata; he says he's sorry but he's done. But in the middle of night, awaking from a nightmare he finds the envelope of photos she left with him, and yeah, he's on board. I liked the prickly nature of Eugene Smith, alcoholic, discontent, not often polite but absolutely passionate about photography. It takes him a while to warm up to Japan and Minamata, and that process of adjustment was just wonderful to observe. He is distant and then he is passionate. He gives up and storms about, and then he commits again. I like that about him. A very real man with warts but also a very deep soul.

The story winds us in almost in the same way it breaks down Eugene. First we are studying all that happens in front of us, and then suddenly we are in the midst of pain and violence, terrified at what may happen. Heartbroken, and totally united with the people of Minamata. I found myself completely at one with everything going on around me. This is a story gets you in the heart.

Would it ever be successful the US? Nope. This is a European or at least an independent film through and through. It thinks, it is quiet and it enters its audience stealthily. It sure don't belong in the Regal chain of movie theaters. I'd love to see it again. I am smitten by the work of Andrew Levitas, Johnny Depp and all the rest of the cast. Great movie.

gipsyblues · Unread post by **gipsyblues** » Sun Feb 13, 2022 6:03 am

fireflydances

Your great conversation about the history of film is so wonderful, we can immediately see how this great film affected you. Breathtaking, how detailed you tell us.

I am so happy for you dear fireflydances.
Thanks to everyone involved in Minamata and a special thanks to Johnny Depp and Andrew Levitas. I really hope that this important film will get the chance it deserves after the verdict.

SnoopyDances · Unread post by **SnoopyDances** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 6:28 pm

Fans can vote for favorite movie. Winner to be announced during Oscars ceremony. Some countries appear to be blocked from participating. Be sure to use both hashtags.
#OscarsFanFavorite
and #Sweepstakes
+ TITLE of the film #Minamata

Unread post by **fireflydances** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:44 pm

Well, I voted. It really is one of the best films I have ever seen. I still want to go back and see it again. If you are within driving distance, folks, go get your ticket.

Someareborn · Unread post by **Someareborn** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 7:09 pm

fireflydances wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:44 pm
I still want to go back and see it again. If you are within driving distance, folks, go get your ticket.

I understand correctly that you drove 53miles to the next cinema?? Wow.
Mine is 5 walking minutes away, but I still have to wait that they will release the film here...