[Book Summary] Factfulness: How Hans Rosling Teaches Us to See the World

Most people answer the same way to 13 questions about the current state of the world. The first 12 questions are answered incorrectly, with only the last question being answered correctly. By reading the worldwide bestseller "Factfulness", we can recognize the "incorrect perception of the world" and eliminate "bias" when receiving information.

[Movie] How a Woman Pioneered Electronic Music in 1978: ”The Shock of the Future”(Marc Collin)

Today, "electronic music" is commonplace. In its early days, many women who had been excluded from the existing music world were active. The "frenzy of creation that "The Shock of the Future," a film that follows a day in the life of one woman in Paris in 1978 as she attempts to open the door to the "electronic music" revolution, depicts.

Betrayed: A Shocking True Story of the Holocaust in Norway (Director Eirik Svensson)

The movie "Betrayed" is based on the shocking true story of Norwegian police who rounded up Jews living in their country and sent them on a ship to Auschwitz. It shows the harsh reality that "I'm not that foolish" is not an optimistic way to think. Such tragedies have occurred many times to this day.

[Anime] Why I Loved “Belle” (Hosoda Mamoru) and Its Message of Helping Others

Because of the emergence of SNS, society has become one where criticism is easy. As a result, people have become reluctant to say positive words for fear of criticism. In such a world, after watching “Belle”, I was reminded that even if someone says it's idealistic, I want to be the one who sends out the message, "I want to help someone."

[Review] How “Promising Young Woman” Challenges Our Views on Revenge (Director Emerald Fennell)

I basically cannot tolerate "revenge," but I want to justify the actions of the protagonist Cassie in "Promising Young Woman." It is obviously crazy behavior that violates the law, but there is room for consideration for the motivation behind it. If you criticize Cassie without thinking, the arrow will come flying back at you. It's a terrifying work.

Dynamic Equilibrium: A New Way to Understand Life

The question "What is life?" may seem too basic, but it's actually quite difficult. 20th-century biology considered "self-replication of DNA" to be the essence of life, but the discovery of "viruses" forced a reconsideration. We can learn about the essence of life from two works by Shinichi Fukuoka: "生物と無生物のあいだ(Between Animate and Inanimate)" and "動的平衡(Dynamic Equilibrium)."

[Movie] The Auschwitz Report: How Two Men Escaped and Told the World (Director Peter Bebjak)

There are two people who escaped from Auschwitz concentration camp and revealed the truth of the Holocaust to the world with detailed records. I had no idea about such a historical fact. "The Auschwitz Report" is a movie that depicts the struggles of the two people who became the trigger for the world to know about the Holocaust, and it is incredibly shocking.

[Review] A Movie That Makes You Think About Abortion and Unwanted Pregnancy: “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” (Eliza Hittman)

The movie "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" focuses solely on the topic of "a teenage girl getting abortions due to unwanted pregnancies," while disregarding other various elements. It is a challenging work that drastically cuts down on explanations and dialogue. The silence of the two main characters eloquently tells the story of the reality they face.

[Movie] True North: A Shoking Anime Film That Shows the Horror of Reality (Director Shimizu Han Eiji)

"True North," a spectacular animated film by thedirector of fourth-generation Koreans in Japan based on interviews with North Korean defectors, reminds us that we live in the same world as "the reality that is too horrifying". In the face of the lowest and worst despair, how cruel and brutal can humans become, and how can they demonstrate kindness?

[Movie] The Martian: A Thrilling Story of Survival and Rescue (Director Ridley Scott, Starring Matt Damon)

"The Martian" is an amazing movie that depicts the survival and rescue of a man who was left behind on Mars alone, using realistic scientific technology. It is a drama that is beyond imagination, where ideas and courage make the impossible possible, and people believe in themselves and others, and make the decision to take a more difficult path in extreme situations.

[Review] Film “Whiplash”: Does Talent Need Torture? (Director Damien Chazelle)

The extreme environment created by "leader to hunt down" may have the potential to bring out talent, but is such an environment really necessary? From the movie "Whiplash," which depicts a fierce "instruction" at a top music school, imagine the "victims" behind what enriches our lives.

How Bobby Fischer Changed Chess and History: “Endgame” (Frank Brady)

The American Bobby Fischer was a chess player who was called a "once-in-500-years genius" and gained worldwide fame. The book "Endgame" depicts his life and tells the story of a legendary match that is still talked about today, as well as the turmoil of the Cold War era.

Movie “Room”: How It Challenges Our Sense of Normal (Director Lenny Abrahamson)

The movie "Room" was inspired by a shocking real event. It's fiction, but it has the power to make the audience feel like they might be in the same situation. It helps suffering people who are trapped by the feeling of "normalcy" and "obvious" to realize "what they should realize."

Anno Hideaki’s “Shin Godzilla”: A Masterpiece of Realism

I haven't really watched many Godzilla movies or SFX films, but I saw "Shin Godzilla" just because it was directed by Anno Hideaki, and it was incredibly interesting. It portrayed everything besides the existence of Godzilla with overwhelming realism. The sense of reality of "What if Godzilla really appeared?" is tremendous.

[Review] Fires on the Plain: A Movie That Shows the Emptiness of War

The "tragedy of war" has been depicted and passed down in various forms, but opportunities to understand the "emptiness of war" are rare. The film "Fires on the Plain" is set in the Philippines during World War II and is composed entirely of "emptiness," depicting "the difficulty of "living as a human being" on a battlefield where the enemy does not exist.

[Review] Movie “Sully”: How a Hero Became a Suspect (Director Clint Eastwood, Starring Tom Hanks)

The hero who made an emergency landing of an uncontrollable plane on the Hudson River, saving all 155 crew and passengers, was later suspected of intentionally sinking the plane and causing damage. From the movie "Sully," we learn the difficulty of "rightness" and the importance of the framework of "rightness".

[Movie] How “Eye in the Sky” Shows the Dilemma of Modern War (Director Gavin Hood)

If you had to make a decision to take the life of one girl in order to save 80 other lives, would you be able to make that decision? The movie "Eye in the Sky" depicts the modern wars that take place in conference rooms, and it helps us understand the conflict that arises in extreme situations where we must find an answer to the "wrong question."

Movie Review: The Magical World of Kurokami no Otome: “The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl” (Yuasa Masaaki)

I really love the movie "The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl" based on Morimi Tomihiko. Its world view, which exquisitely floats between "reality" and "fantasy," is so appealing. "Kurokami no Otome" is a character that makes me feel like I'd fall in love with her if she existed. I watched the movie with a grin on my face the whole time, and it's one of my favorites.

[Movie] Hacksaw Ridge: How Desmond Doss Became a Hero Without a Gun (Director Mel Gibson)

During World War II, there was a medic who achieved unbelievable feats by running around without a gun on what was considered one of the toughest battlefields, Hacksaw Ridge. The movie "Hacksaw Ridge" is based on a real person and teaches not only the horrors of war but also the importance of sticking to one's beliefs.

Soundtracks: The No-Rule Art of Movie Music: “Score: A Film Music Documentary” (Matt Schrader)

In the movie industry that started with "silent movies," how has the importance of music been recognized? What did the genius who created the impressive music in "JAWS" bring to movie soundtracks? Through incorporating actual footage from various movies, the documentary film "Score: A Film Music Documentary" delves deep into the world of movie soundtracks, exploring the creativity of these remarkable persons.

A Story of a Syrian Refugee in a Movie About Art: “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (Kaouther Ben Hania) (a movie based on a true story of art named “TIM” by Wim Delvoye)

The idea of tattooing the back of a Syrian refugee and displaying it as an art piece may seem very insensitive, but it's a clever irony that the tattoo represents a "Schengen Visa" which allows free movement between countries. This is the brilliant and striking social commentary through art in the movie "The Man Who Sold His Skin," which is based on a true story.

Review of Incendies: A Shocking Debut Film by a Famous Director (Denis Villeneuve)

I watched the movie "Incendies" without knowing anything about it except for the trailer shown in the movie theater, and it was an incredible film. I don't want to say anything about this shocking debut film of Denis Villeneuve, who has directed famous works such as "Dune" and "Blade Runner 2049."

The 10-year journey of capturing footage of a giant squid

"ドキュメント 深海の超巨大イカを追え！(Document: Chasing the Giant Squid of the Deep Sea)" depicts the 10-year-long grueling challenge that the NHK-led project to film "the Holy Grail" giant squid living in the deep sea. It depicts the path of those who started the project, which was thought to be almost impossible, and succeeded in filming the giant squid after a period of hardship and suffering.

The science behind extracting dinosaur DNA from fossils

If you have seen the movie "Jurassic Park," you may have been excited about the idea of extracting dinosaur DNA from mosquito blood trapped in amber. "化石の分子生物学(The Molecular Biology of Fossils)" refers to research just like that. It is a book full of knowledge that also applies to fields beyond science.

[Book] The progress of Google: A product of innocence and accident: “Googled”(Ken Auletta)

Almost everyone who uses smartphones and the internet must have used Google at some point. "Googled," a book that depicts the history of the company that has created a service that can now be called an "infrastructure," shows that its progress is a product of "innocence" and "accident."

Lone Survivor: A true story of courage and sacrifice (Auther Marcus Luttrell)

Four members of the strongest US military unit who missed a shepherd encountered in the mountains of Afghanistan were forced to fight to the death against hundreds of Taliban soldiers. The book "Lone Survivor" written by the author who miraculously survived and returned is filled with unbelievable intensity that is hard to believe as a true story.

The life of Erdős: A genius mathematician and a “weirdo”: “The Man Who Loved Only Numbers” (Paul Hoffman)

Do you know Erdős, a genius in the history of mathematics who published the second highest number of research papers after Gauss? He demonstrated outstanding talent as a mathematician, but was also known as a "weirdo". "The Man Who Loved Only Numbers" portrays the life of this unorthodox mathematician who traveled around the world staying at the homes of mathematicians.

[Summary] Feynman: The genius scientist with unusual stories: “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”

When you think of 'genius scientists,' you might imagine Einstein, Newton, or Hawking, but when it comes to a “genius scientist full of unscientific episodes,” Feynman stands out. His world-renowned bestseller “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!' is a collection of essays that hardly touch on 'science."

[Facts] The Little-Known History of Nagasaki’s Vanished Atomic Bomb Dome

The Christian cathedral, "Urakami Cathedral," was partially destroyed and turned into ruins by the atomic bombing. However, for some reason, it was not preserved as the "Atomic bomb dome of Nagasaki" and was dismantled. "ナガサキ 消えたもう一つの「原爆ドーム」(Nagasaki's vanished 'Atomic bomb dome)'" delves into the little-known history surrounding Urakami Cathedral and portrays the strength of America.

How One Jehovah’s Witness Escaped from the Brainwashing

The book "カルト脱出記(Escape from Cults)" was written by an author who was a "Jehovah's Witness" and avid Bible student in Japan. Through their Bible studies, the author was able to break free from "brainwashing". We cannot ignore the author's experience as "somebody else's problem" because "brainwashing" is something that exists in society and can affect anyone.

[Summary] The Truth About Greta Thunberg: A Story of Passion and Anxiety: “I Am Greta” (Nathan Grossman)

I used to think of Greta, an environmental activist, as an "angry person" or a "righteous person." But that's not the case. She took action because she couldn't bear the "anxiety." Through the movie "I Am Greta," let's get to know the real Greta and her strong feelings.

[Review] How “The Last Duel” (Ridley Scott) Shows Our “Communal Fantasy” (Starring Jodie Comer, Matt Damon)

For example, the reason people "value" a mere piece of paper called a "100 dollar bill" is because society's members live in the same "communal fantasy." Ridley Scott director's film "The Last Duel" depicts the social conventions that "rape does not cause pregnancy" and "determine the winner of a trial by a duel," and the strength of "communal fantasy" that is still relevant today.

Onoda Hiroo’s Story and Cognitive Dissonance (Director Arthur Harari)

Until I watched the movie "ONODA", I felt uncomfortable about the person named Onoda Hiroo. It seemed unnatural to me that he had continued to live the reality of "the war is not over". However, after watching the movie, I realized that his way of life and decisions are not so different from ours.

[Film review] Collective: A Movie About Power and Corruption (Director Alexander Nanau)

The movie "Collective" portrays the struggle of Gazeta magazine, which exposed that the cause of the death of patients who survived a fire but died one after another was "disinfectant diluted 10 times more than indicated" and pursued state corruption. It is a shocking work that reflects the end of a country where "monitoring of power" no longer works.

[Movie review] What “Sound of Metal” Asks Us About Being “Normal” (Director Darius Marder)

The movie "Sound of Metal" depicts a protagonist who faces the harsh reality of losing his hearing as a drummer in a band. He is faced with the choice of whether to continue living with able-bodied people or not. How should we answer this question that is also directed towards able-bodied people?

[Review] How A Photographer Shedded Light on a “MINAMATA” Tragedy (Director Andrew Levitas)

I didn't know about the existence, but there is a photojournalist who turned "Minamata disease" into a "pollution known throughout the world." The movie "MINAMATA" depicts the unknown life of Eugene Smith, who conveyed the truth of Minamata disease to the world, and the struggles of many people who fought against injustice.

Film “The Courier”: How a Civilian Averted the Cuban Missile Crisis (Director Dominic Cooke, Starring Benedict Cumberbatch)

Did you know that there was a civilian who saved the world during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war? Based on a true story, the movie "The Courier" depicts the incredible struggle of a seemingly ordinary salesman who stole massive amounts of confidential information from the Soviet Union.

[Movie] Martin Margiela: A Film About a Mysterious Innovative Designer (Director Rainer Holzemer)

The movie "Martin Margiela: In His Own Words" is about the life and current status of a genius who rose to the top without ever showing his face. I had never heard of the designer Martin Margiela or his brand, but even I, who is not interested in fashion, could watch it with interest.

[Summary] The Power of “Midnight Traveler”: A Refugee Family Album of Escape (Director Hassan Fazili)

A family of four who were forced to flee Afghanistan filmed their 5600km journey to Europe using three smartphones. The resulting movie, "Midnight Traveler," is not just a portrayal of the harsh reality faced by refugees, but also reminds us that even refugees have "happy days" filled with smiles, much like a family photo album.

A Book That Reveals Incredible Facts About a Murder Case

"殺人犯はそこにいる(The Murderer is There)" was a topic of conversation even when it was sold with the title turned down under the name "BunkoX" in Japan. It features shocking developments that reveal "incredible facts that shake the foundation of our society" through coverage of a certain incident in North Kanto. It's not an exaggeration to say that this is a must-read book for all national.

[Movie] The Aeronauts: A True Story of Adventuring Beyond Common Sense (Director Tom Harper)

In the 1860s, when "weather forecasting" was treated as equal to "fortune-telling," there were people who pioneered the history of meteorology using balloons. The movie "The Aeronauts" is a story about a scientist and a balloon pilot who reached an altitude of over 11,000 meters without an oxygen cylinder, and it teaches us the greatness of "adventuring beyond common sense."

[Film] WANDA: A Movie That Surprises with Its Timelessness (Director, Starring Barbara Loden)

I was curious about the trailer I saw at the movie theater, so I went to see the movie "WANDA" without knowing anything else about it, and I was surprised to learn that it was a movie from the 70s. I didn't feel any "oldness" at all. Barbara Loden, who not only starred in but also directed and wrote the film, left behind a historical masterpiece that has been highly regarded since her death.

[Film reviw] Broker: A Movie That Asks Tough Questions About Society (Director Koreeda Hirokazu Starring Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won)

The movie "Broker," directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, is about the "baby hatch (A window where parents can anonymously leave their babies who cannot be raised for various reasons)" that seem to exist in many places in Korea and asks the question of "what is justice." I think it's irrational to judge "abortion is ok, discarding is not," and I think "justice" is when "the most vulnerable parties are saved."

Audrey: A Movie That Depicts the Life of a World-Famous Icon (Director Helena Coan)

The movie "Audrey" is a documentary that captures the unknown face of the world-famous superstar. Based on various testimonies, it depicts the unparalleled genius, who suffered from severe hunger due to war, the disappearance of her father, the enduring sense of loneliness, and the audition for the movie "Roman Holiday" brought about by chance, as well as her activities with UNICEF.

Let the Right One In: A Movie That Depicts the Struggle to Survive (Director Tomas Alfredson)

The acclaimed film "Let the Right One In" depicts the struggles of those who choose to live with the despair that "what it takes to survive" is "to destroy others." The relationship between the two characters, which can be described as "pure love," and the unexpected development of the story are truly moving.

[Movie review] Inu-Oh: A Fantastic Masterpiece That Will Leave You Stunned (Director Yuasa Masaaki)

I was not planning to watch the movie "Inu-Oh" directed by Yuasa Masaaki, and had zero expectations and almost no prior information. However, it was so amazing that I was stunned to think that I might have missed such a fantastic masterpiece. The insane worldview woven by Furukawa Hideo, who wrote the original work, combined with the realistic "live feeling", makes it a wonderful "music movie".

[Summary] Welcome to Chechnya: A Movie That Shines a Light on the Modern-Day Holocaust (Director David France)

With the backing of President Putin, the Chechen Republic maintains its dictatorship, and an abnormal situation that can only be called "Gay-Cleansing" continues in the country. The film "Welcome to Chechnya" depicts this reality at great risk and also portrays the struggles of support groups fighting against the "modern-day Holocaust."

A Book That Takes You on a Culinary Adventure in Dangerous Places: “Hyper HardBoiled Gourmet Report” (Kamide Ryohei)

The book version of "Hyper HardBoiled Gourmet Report," a "different dimension gourmet show," created by Ryohei Kamide of TV Tokyo. The madness of eating the same food as the residents in the "super dangerous place," where even the video conveys its strangeness, is tremendous. The story of the "Kenyan rubbish dump boy" that I saw on TV was shocking.

[Summary]Just Mercy: A Movie That Sheds Light on Black Discrimination in America (a movie based on the true story of Bryan Stevenson)

Based on a true story of a young person who started an organization to support death row inmates in America, the movie "Just Mercy" makes us think about the value of the death penalty. After the screening, I was even more surprised to learn about the connection between the death penalty and black discrimination in America at the talk event that followed.

[Movie] Tanaka Min: A Film That Portrays the Life of a One-of-a-Kind Performer (The Unnamable Dance)

In the movie "The Unnamable Dance," Tanaka Min says that he feels uncomfortable expressing his "self" or "individuality." Instead of "building a body for dancing," he prefers to "dance with the body made from farm work." He wants to explore the pre-artistic form of dancing. The documentary portrays the life and current state of the "one and only unique performer."

[Summary] A Slave Girl’s Memoir That Shocked the World: “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”(Harriet Ann Jacobs)

A black woman who was born as a "slave" gained her freedom with the help of many people, and later wrote about "slavery" in "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl." Although it was long thought to be a "novel written by a white person," it has been proven to be true and has become a great bestseller in Europe and America, demonstrating the cruelty of "slavery."

[Film review] A Movie About Israel and Palestine That Depicts the Power of Music: “Crescendo”(Director Dror Zahavi)

The movie "Crescendo," which depicts the conflict between Israel and Palestine, is not based on a true story, but the "Palestinian-Israeli mixed orchestra" that is central to the movie actually exists. This work suggests the possibility of "improvement" for the various conflicts that remain in the world we live in.

[Review] House of Gucci: The True Story of a Fashion Murder (Director Ridley Scott, Starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver)

The movie "House of Gucci" is based on the shocking true story of the murder of one member of the GUCCI founding family. What happened to the world-renowned brand GUCCI that no member of the founding family is involved in it now? The film is directed by Ridley Scott, and the performances of Adam Driver and Lady Gaga are also impressive.

[Movie] Goebbels’ Secretary: The Foolishness and Regret of Nazi Propaganda: “A German Life” (Director Christian Krones, Starring Brunhilde Pomsel)

Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda who was number two in Nazi Germany. In the film "A German Life," his secretary Brunhilde Pomsel, who was 103 years old at the time, spoke about the past in front of the camera. Her regret and lessons are contained in the words, "I did foolish things, but they were unavoidable." We must take her words seriously.

Dark Waters: The Lawyer Who Exposed DuPont’s Toxic Secret (Director Todd Haynes) (a movie based on the true story of Rob Bilott)

There is a lawyer who exposed that the global corporation DuPont had known the dangers of their product "Teflon" over 40 years ago but did not disclose it, and had gained immense profits. The movie "Dark Waters" portrays the bravery of a real person who fought against the corporation and continued to run for the sake of the residents and justice.

The authenticity of the ‘Savior’ painting sold for 51 billion yen: “The Savior For Sale” (Antoine Vitkine)

The painting known as "Savior," which was auctioned off for a record $450 million in the history of the art world, was already a famous painting known as "Leonardo da Vinci's Lost Masterpiece" before its discovery. The movie "The Savior For Sale" tackles the issue of authenticity in art and portrays the crazy art world in an attractive way.

The Shocking Portrayal of North Korea in a Banned Documentary: “The Red Chapel” (Mads Brugger)

Mads Brugger is a documentary filmmaker who has no ethical conflicts, but only curiosity, which resulted in his "expulsion" from North Korea for making this film, "The Red Chapel. This shocking film shows the "everyday" and "extraordinary" life in North Korea, where Brugger went undercover under the guise of "friendship.

[Movie] The worst ending avoided: A review of ‘Dancer in the Dark (Director Lars von Trier, Starring Björk)

I watched the well-known masterpiece film "Dancer in the Dark" at the theater with almost no prior knowledge. It was an incredible movie. I felt that the musical scenes I'm not usually fond of were effective, and I had the thought that "the worst ending could have been avoided" as well as a prayer that someone like Selma would be rewarded.

The Shocking Footage of the Hong Kong Protests: “Revolution of Our Times” (Kiwi Chow)

The Pro-democracy Movement in Hong Kong began as a protest against the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation in 2019. The film "Revolution of Our Times" captures the demonstrators on camera from the early stages of the movement, and is a powerful work with nothing but shocking footage from beginning to end. This reality is definitely not just a fire on the other side of the river.

[LGBTQ] The Societal Intolerance Towards Gender Dysphoria: “Little Girl” (Sebastien Lifshitz)

Sasha, who was eight years old during the filming of the movie, had a male body but identified as a girl. Sasha was not allowed to wear a skirt to school or use favorite bags and pencil cases. The movie "Little Girl" depicts the societal intolerance towards gender dysphoria and the mother's anguish who keeps blaming herself.

[film] 1917: A Remarkable One Shot Film Review (Director Sam Mendes)

The movie "1917" drew attention for its amazing filming technique called "entirely shot in one take style." I was surprised by how this style brilliantly amplified the "sense of tension on the battlefield." I was amazed by how the filming technique perfectly matched the story, resulting in an exceptional piece of work."

A True Story of Injustice and the Dark Side of America: The Mauritanian(Director Kevin Macdonald, Starring Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch)

The shocking movie “The Mauritanian,” which Benedict Cumberbatch was eager to produce, is based on an unbelievable true story in America. The struggle between a person who tries to "save" a man who was unjustly detained as the "mastermind of 9/11" and a person who tries to "corner" him reveals the "dark side of America."

A Summary of ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’: A True Story

"The Trial of the Chicago 7" is a very interesting movie that depicts the true story of demonstrations by young people who opposed the Vietnam War and the subsequent trial. The lead prosecutor who was tasked with an unreasonable prosecution by their boss, the unfit judge who repeatedly acted abnormally, and the defendants who couldn't form a united front. It's a fascinating film full of charm.

The Fight for Democracy in Hong Kong: A Documentary: “Inside the Red Brick Wall”

The movie "Inside the Red Brick Wall" portrays the biggest impact of the Pro-democracy Movement in Hong Kong from the inside. This incredible documentary captures the 13-day siege at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as anonymous film directors continued to film alongside the demonstrators, revealing the harsh reality of the young people who were forced to make difficult decisions.