Question 1

How did Ken Watanabe prepare for his role as General Kuribayashi?

Accepted Answer

Ken Watanabe read actual letters sent by Imperial Japanese Army General Tadamichi Kuribayashi to his family from Iwo Jima while preparing for his role.

Question 2

Which major film festivals or awards recognized Letters from Iwo Jima?

Accepted Answer

It was recognized at the National Board of Review in 2006, Golden Globes in 2007, Academy Awards in 2007, and the Berlin International Film Festival in 2007.

Question 3

What unique production detail connects Letters from Iwo Jima to another Clint Eastwood film?

Accepted Answer

It was shot back-to-back with Flags of Our Fathers (2006).

Question 4

Why did many young Japanese actors express interest in working on this movie?

Accepted Answer

When word spread that Ken Watanabe had been cast in the lead, virtually every young actor in Japan let it be known they were interested in working on this movie.

Question 5

What was the original plan for telling the story of Iwo Jima, and why did it change?

Accepted Answer

The original plan was to tell both sides of the story in one movie, but it became obvious there was too much to tell and the two separate cultures created very different storylines.

Question 6

How did Ken Watanabe prepare for his role as General Kuribayashi?

Accepted Answer

Ken Watanabe read actual letters sent by Imperial Japanese Army General Tadamichi Kuribayashi to his family from Iwo Jima while preparing for his role.

Question 7

What connection does this film have to Flags of Our Fathers (2006)?

Accepted Answer

It was shot back-to-back with Flags of Our Fathers (2006).

Question 8

Why did many of the young Japanese cast members lack prior knowledge about Iwo Jima?

Accepted Answer

Most of the young cast knew nothing about the incidents on Iwo Jima, as it is not taught in Japanese schools.

Question 9

Which major film festivals and awards recognized Letters from Iwo Jima?

Accepted Answer

It was recognized at the Berlin International Film Festival (2007) and received awards from the National Board of Review (2006), Golden Globes (2007), and Academy Awards (2007).

Question 10

What was the original storytelling plan for this film and why did it change?

Accepted Answer

The original plan was to tell both sides of the story in one movie, but production revealed there was too much to tell and the two cultures created very different storylines.

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Letters from Iwo Jima

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