Stories from the Tsunami Documentary: Sneak Peek Trailer | Patreon Exclusive
Added 2020-03-06 15:38:39 +0000 UTC
It’s been a weird few days.
As the world looks like it’s falling apart in headlines worldwide, I spent a few days wandering through an apocalyptic landscape while producing a documentary for next week.
It was all starting to get a bit much, until I sat down with Ichiyo Kanno - Japan’s most upbeat, positive woman - at her inn on the remote shores of Japan’s Pacific coastline.
For some of you that name might ring a bell; Ichiyo-san was one of the remarkable people I interviewed for my first ever documentary style video back in 2018 on the Tohoku tsunami. (In case you missed it: https://youtu.be/ObSo4VxCFzs).
Despite having her home washed away in 2011 and losing her husband and eldest daughter to the sea in a tragic fishing accident in 2017, she remains the life and soul of her local community, loved by all and quite possibly the happiest person I’ve ever met.
Next week to commemorate, the anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that killed over 15,000 people and wreaked $360 billion of destruction, I decided it was a topic that I wanted to cover once more now that I’ve grown more confident as a filmmaker.
The documentary covers some truly extraordinary stories; from a destroyed farm that went on to cultivate and export Japan’s most luxurious strawberries (that cost $50 a pop!), to exploring one of the worst affected towns, which decided to leave a destroyed building standing, in order to remind future generations of the destructive power and horrors a tsunami can bring. The dilapidated building remains untouched since the day of the disaster.
But for me the highlight was undoubtedly catching up with Ichiyo-san and seeing how her life has changed in the two years since we last met, as the final pieces of a gigantic concrete sea wall are built just yards from her home. (Image below).
I’ve still got a lot of work to do before it’s released sometime in the next 2-3 days, but I’d like to share with you a sneak peek of what to expect from the 20 minute documentary - especially given that without Patreon, a project of this scale just wouldn’t have been possible. (A HUGE THANK YOU!).
Stories from the Tsunami Documentary | Sneak Peek Trailer:
► Watch: https://youtu.be/cxca8TJfhEc
(Fingers crossed Youtube doesn't demonetise or blacklist this video, like it did for last year's Fukushima documentary).
In terms of news and updates on the Coronavirus, not a great deal has changed here since last week’s video on Abroad in Japan, apart from the closure or cancellation of a ton of events and venues, from Robot Restaurant to the Snoopy Museum (god help us all!).
Don't hesitate to message me if you have any concerns - and just in case any of you are coming to Japan in March, here’s the full list: https://metropolisjapan.com/coronavirus-events-venues/
For now though, enjoy the sneak peek of the video and I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Bring on the weekend.
Chris
Comments
I finally just watched the video and really liked it! I loved hearing about the how the fishermen held their campaign to bring interest to their industry, and generally how people are moving forward in the time after the tsunami. I am looking forward to your next video - Thank you for your work!
2020-03-13 07:20:54 +0000 UTCWow Chris, this was simply so amazing. The stories told really touched me and made me admire Japan, specially the people from Tohoku, even more. It really shows how much you love what you do and the work you put to tell these amazing stories. I am really proud to be a patreon of your channel , keep up the amazing work.
Lucca Saraiva
2020-03-12 20:43:01 +0000 UTCChris, you're going to have to stop calling yourself a YouTuber soon if you keep this up! This was far above and beyond anything I could have expected from a YouTube video. Your TV and film influences really show here and I think you've done a phenomenal job creating something that could easily be televised. I appreciate that you revisited Ichiyo san and asked her about her experiences over the time that had passed since your last visit. It made it feel a lot more personal and less of a report on the situation. Ichiyo san's positivity is infectious; the way she reacted after seeing you for the first time in years was adorable. With the ocean having such a negative impact on her life whilst remaining strong and persevering in the face of adversity, she must be doing something right. I've gone ahead and bought a book on Ichigo Ichie as I’m quite intrigued by that ideology. Fantastic stuff, Chris. Looking forward to more great videos from you in the future!
2020-03-11 22:39:31 +0000 UTCI really really enjoyed that video! Even more than the first one as well, actually. The stories really stuck and it was cool to see the community get back on your feet. I hope youtube don't screw it over (I'm already noticing it didn't seem to get promoted properly)... I'd definitely say it's one of my favorite videos in a long time, aside from the Fukushima one.
Riz
2020-03-11 15:24:43 +0000 UTCChris! Loved the documentary! The production quality (shots, sound design, music) was really amazing as well, but we all watch because of the topics and subjects you choose to cover. Hope this is just the vanguard of other documentary features lined up for us in the months and years to come. ❤️
2020-03-11 12:18:01 +0000 UTCGreat soundtracking. This preview alone was moving. Hopefully, there'll be enough loo roll left to dab my tear-welled eyes when the video is released!
Mz. Ultraviolence
2020-03-10 19:47:14 +0000 UTCIn 2011 I began my job at a Japanese run factory here in the US and remember the impact the tsunami had on us, so to see the actual devastation was something else entirely. The resilience of everyone affected is so uplifting - I love that you're doing another video on it.
2020-03-08 11:05:37 +0000 UTCIchiyo-san is one of my personal heroes, whenever I may feel down or a bit lost, I think of her wonderful attitude and what she has overcome, snaps me right out of it. Your work is becoming exceedingly more than the sum of it's parts and touching many lives in the process, you should be quite proud. Carry on and prosper, sir!
2020-03-08 04:29:33 +0000 UTCLooks epic. Looking forward to it!
Chris Parsons
2020-03-08 03:25:15 +0000 UTCExcited to see more news from this area, as I have planned to travel there this year. Also just wanted to say your soundtrack choice ability is top tier. Whether serious or fun, you always get it right and it really leads the viewer along the journey you're showing👌
2020-03-07 23:09:20 +0000 UTCGoosebumps! Man what the heck! You're seriously getting better and better at this! The music and visuals.. goosebumps straight away! I'm so excited for this!!!
Jette Nielsen
2020-03-07 17:34:47 +0000 UTCLooks great, with nice soundtrack choices!
2020-03-07 14:27:19 +0000 UTCwow this looks ficking phenominal! absolutely perfect cant wait for the documentary.
2020-03-07 04:36:29 +0000 UTCSuper excited! I love when you do documentary style videos. 👍🏻♥️
Lady Long Limbs
2020-03-07 03:25:56 +0000 UTCThis looks like it will be another incredible documentary! Looking forward to it. Your videos are getting so good. Has NHK World ever offered to hire you? These documentaries you’re producing are just as good if not better than some of the stuff they show.
Laura Beaumont
2020-03-07 02:30:08 +0000 UTCI am delighted to hear that we'll get to hear more from Ichiyo-san. Her appearance in the previous video was powerful and moving, and she struck me as a very wise woman. I said this at the time, and I'll say it again ... I would watch a 90-minute documentary entirely about her!
2020-03-06 20:48:12 +0000 UTCHi Chris! I've been to Minamisanriku twice now in 2016 and 2018 (and am headed there again this year) as a part of a "goodwill" group of entertainers. In my spare time there, I would run to that building as well as the communications tower that stands (relatively) nearby. Each time, I would get goosebumps thinking about what had happened there. I've stood in front of that building, but didn't want to enter it (out of respect and safety), but I'm interested in seeing your documentary about the area. We have friends there and have heard their stories from 2011, and am looking forward to learning about what you saw and experienced as well. Thanks in advance! Looking forward to this video!
Michael P.
2020-03-06 19:38:36 +0000 UTCI'm looking forward to it!
Michael Taylor
2020-03-06 18:24:44 +0000 UTCLooking forward to it
Claire
2020-03-06 18:06:15 +0000 UTCman i have to say .. you improved so much with your quality in editing.. i look forward for the complete video.. keep up the great work and stay safe
Macintire
2020-03-06 17:40:57 +0000 UTCWell hello there slick editing!
Eels
2020-03-06 16:32:21 +0000 UTCI so look forward to watching the sneak peek and the documentary - and not only because I'm getting bored at home with a case of the (non-COVID19) flu! And I love the idea of revisiting Kanno-san, even if I didn't remember her name, only her story.
Nynke de Haas
2020-03-06 16:12:49 +0000 UTCExcited. Can't wait to watch it. I loved the Fukushima video and the style you did.
2020-03-06 16:05:52 +0000 UTCthis looks like it’s gonna be so good! looking forward to it ☺️
2020-03-06 16:01:03 +0000 UTCI'm looking forward to it! :) This documentary genre suits you, I hope you will show us many interesting stories in the future too.
2020-03-06 16:00:33 +0000 UTCThat lady is an absolute treasure.
Luke Watts
2020-03-06 15:50:10 +0000 UTCHype!!!
2020-03-06 15:46:35 +0000 UTCFantastic trailer Chris! Do you happen to do any color grading or this straight out of the GH5 and Mavic? Your production and editing just seems like it’s getting better and better every single upload!
2020-03-06 15:46:21 +0000 UTCOoh been waiting for this one 😀
Jesper Forsberg
2020-03-06 15:39:55 +0000 UTC
