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What happens when war ends but the soldiers never come home?
TMDB
65
IMDb
66
Watch(US)

Following the Unreturned Soldiers: Malaysia (1970)

RawHauntingIntimate

Overview

DocumentaryTV Movie

Famed filmmaker tracks down former Japanese soldiers in Malaysia.

Flag of JPJPJapanese
Content warning
japanese soldiermalaysia

Standout Aspects

Direction

Imamura's patient, morally complex gaze

Production

1970s vérité authenticity, zero polish

Best for:Solo: Late night, lights off, no distractions·Rewatch: Deeper layers on second viewing
Heads up:Triggers: Discussions of wartime trauma, displacement
Shōhei Imamura

Director

Shōhei Imamura

ReleasedJan 1, 1970
Runtime47m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Imamura Productions

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Insight

Part of Imamura's larger project on Japan's war responsibility; he spent years locating these forgotten men across Southeast Asia.

Cultural

The 'unreturned soldier' was a national shame in 1970s Japan—Imamura forced viewers to confront men their government pretended didn't exist.

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