Minamata (2020)

In 1971, photographer W. Eugene Smith (portrayed by Johnny Depp) traveled to Minamata, Japan to document the effects of mercury poisoning caused by industrial pollution on the residents there. Because of Depp’s various legal and personal problems, the film was shelved for a long time which is a shame. I’d never heard of Minamata disease before nor that it is considered one of Japan’s big four pollution diseases. The United States is no stranger to corporate environmental malfeasance, but it’s disconcerting, though not surprising, that it happens elsewhere. The film offers a beautiful and captivating story, though reading the real life story as always makes me wonder why the producers make the changes they do.