Shinya Tsukamoto’s drama ‘Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?’, centered on a Vietnam War veteran’s torment, will release in Japanese cinemas. The film completes the director’s informal trilogy of 20th-century war stories, following ‘Fires on the Plain’ and ‘Shadow of Fire’. The announcement comes on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29.
Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto has announced a theatrical release in Japan for his latest film, ‘Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?’, which he developed over seven years. The project draws from the real-life experiences of Allen Nelson, an African American Vietnam War veteran who delivered more than 1,200 lectures across Japan about his wartime actions and inner struggles. Tsukamoto described the story’s psychological depth as “the wounds of those who perpetrated war.” He first encountered Nelson’s nonfiction book during research for ‘Fires on the Plain’, which competed at the 71st Venice International Film Festival, and said the process felt like a “seven-year tug of war” due to its darkness. “In today’s world, where conflicts are raging in various places, I’ve come to feel this reality more acutely than ever,” Tsukamoto stated. The film traces Nelson’s path from a poverty-stricken childhood in New York, enlisting in the Marines at 18 to escape discrimination, training at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, and serving on Vietnam front lines from 1966 until returning five years later. Plagued by sleeplessness, fear, and broken family ties, he ended up homeless until VA physician Dr. Daniels intervened. Rodney Hicks, known for Broadway’s ‘Rent’ and Netflix’s ‘Forever’, stars as Nelson. Academy, Emmy, and Tony winner Geoffrey Rush plays Dr. Daniels, with credits including ‘Shine’, ‘The King’s Speech’, and the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series. Tatyana Ali portrays Nelson’s wife Linda, recognized from ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ and ‘Abbott Elementary’. Mark Merphy makes his screen debut as young Nelson in flashbacks. Filming spanned the U.S., Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan. Kinoshita Group and Kino Films are producing and distributing the film in Japan. Tsukamoto’s prior works include the body-horror classic ‘Tetsuo: The Iron Man’ (1989) and the Venice-competing samurai drama ‘Killing’ (2018).