In "THE EMPEROR'S NAKED ARMY MARCHES ON", Kazuo Hara documents the incredible journey of Kenzo Okuzaki, a World War II veteran, who devotes himself to uncovering the truth behind the atrocities committed by the Japanese army in New Guinea. Okuzaki, with a relentless and sometimes violent personality, does not hesitate to confront former officers and soldiers directly, accusing them of summary executions and war crimes. The documentary is a powerful portrait of a man who challenges not only his past, but also the Japanese cultural taboo of questioning authority and the emperor himself. Hara masterfully captures the conflict between historical memory and personal responsibility, delivering a film that shocks and deeply unsettles.
Kazuo Hara (Ube, 1945) is a Japanese documentary filmmaker known for his bold, offbeat style, often focusing on marginalised or controversial subjects. After studying photography, Hara made his directorial debut with GOODBYE CP, which immediately attracted attention for its radical approach to the representation of disability. Among his most famous works is THE EMPEROR’S NAKED ARMY MARCHES ON (1987), another denunciation film that consolidated his international reputation. Hara is considered a breakthrough figure in Japanese documentary filmmaking, thanks to his commitment to depicting uncomfortable and difficult realities.
