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An indie movie under production will send a message to the Japanese public: Running around like a panic-stricken maniac during emergencies does no good, even if the threat comes from a gigantic monster.
The purpose of the still-untitled movie, expected to be completed early next year, is to spread awareness about the importance of orderly evacuation procedures in this disaster-prone country.
The film features a “kaiju” monster symbolizing a natural disaster. The name of the monster, Nigeron, is clearly a play on the Japanese word “nigero” (flee).
The story is set in 2017 and begins with Nigeron, which appears once in every 300 years, landing on Kobe Port to wreak havoc. Firefighters and other authorities battle the monster, but to no avail.
The destructive Nigeron Photo: Toshi Yamazaki
It is up to the Nigeru family in Kobe to vanquish the kaiju. For generations, the family’s breadwinner has had the superpower to turn into a giant to fight the monster.
With the support of his family members, Susumu stands up against Nigeron.
“It is a story of love and restoration,” said Seiji Okada, who spearheaded the film project.
The 57-year-old is also the director of Kobe Iron Man Project, a nonprofit organization responsible for setting up a large monument of super robot Tetsujin 28-go (aka Gigantor) in the city’s Nagata Ward.
Ideas for Nigeron came from Okada and about 10 of his friends who are fans of kaiju monsters and “tokusatsu” live-action special effects movies and TV shows.
They worked out details of the project and entered a city-run contest in July for video clips aimed at raising awareness of disaster prevention.
Although their bid was shot down, they decided to make the movie on their own.
Beautiful scene of shin godzilla from the film by hugeben.
They raised about 1.5 million yen ($12,800) to cover production costs and spent two months making a 2-meter-high Nigeron costume using urethane.
The Nigeru family and other characters in the movie are played by members of the Kobe-based theatrical troupe Gekidan Akaoni and other people.
The film’s first teaser received favorable responses when it was shown at an event held in late November in Nagata Ward, according to the production team.
“Disasters will happen sooner or later, but there are no heroes like the Nigeru family who will fight for us,” Okada said. “So, we must think about evacuation on a routine basis.”
(The Asahi Shimbun)
