Johnny Depp Stars as a Famed War Photographer in the Trailer for Biopic MINAMATA

A trailer has been released for the biopic Minamata, starring Oscar-nominated actor Johnny Depp (Edward Scissorhands, Finding Neverland) as the famed war photographer W. Eugene Smith, in his final and most prolific work profiling the lives of those affected by the devastating effects of mercury poisoning in Japan in the 1970s.

Depp is joined in the cast by Hiroyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Katherine Jenkins, Jun Kunimura, Lily Robinson, Ryo Kase, Akiko Iwase, Minami, and Bill Nighy. Here’s the film’s full synopsis:

New York, 1971. Following his celebrated days as one of the most revered photojournalists of World War II, W. Eugene Smith (Johnny Depp) has become a recluse, disconnected from society and his career. But a secret commission from Life magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy) sends him to the Japanese coastal city of Minamata, which has been ravaged by mercury poisoning; the result of decades of gross industrial negligence by the Chisso Corporation. There, Smith immerses himself in the community, documenting their efforts to live with Minamata Disease and their passionate campaign to achieve recognition from Chisso and the Japanese government. Armed with only his trusted camera, Smith’s images from the toxic village give the disaster a heartbreaking human dimension, and his initial assignment turns into a life-changing experience.

Minamata is directed by Andrew Levitas (Lullaby), from a screenplay written by David Kessler, Andrew Levitas, Jason Forman, and Stephen Deuters. This film premiered at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival last year to outstanding reviews, and The Hollywood Reporter calls this Depp’s greatest performance yet. This looks like an incredible and heartbreaking story that must be told. I can’t wait to check it out. Watch the trailer below, and check out Minamata in select US theaters starting on December 15th.