Science Fiction Film & Television

Three versions of Komatsu Saykō's Nihon chinbotsu (Japan Sinks)

Science Fiction Film & Television (2009), 2, (1), 45–57.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3828/sfftv.2.1.3
Language
English
Pages
13

Abstract

This article examines three versions of Nihon chinbotsu (Michael Gallagher's abridged translation of Komatsu Sakyō's novel and its two film adaptations, directed by Moritani Shirō and Higuchi Shinji) in terms of national identity, geography, postcolonialism and post-imperialism, and considers the usefulness of sf in raising such issues. Komatsu and Moritani engage philosophically with the tragedy of forced diaspora and the difficulty of conceptualising national identity outside of geography, while Higuchi presents a more nationalist tale.

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Author details

Langer, Jessica