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The DaysThe Days

The Days

An admirable yet harrowing recounting of Japan's worst natural-turned-nuclear disaster

Drama

7.1

show

Japan
Japanese
Dramatic, Mini-series, Suspenseful
2023
Fumiyo Kohinata, Kaoru Kobayashi, Ken Mitsuishi
TL;DR
As detailed and thoughtful of a series on the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident one could hope for

Synopsis

rotten tomatoes
imdb
wikipedia
Blamed by some, hailed as heroes by others, those involved with Fukushima Daiichi face a deadly, invisible threat — an unprecedented nuclear disaster.

Our Take

7.1
Kerine W

The series follows three perspectives: a government official, a Tokyo Electric Power Company employee, and a worker at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, each with their respective teams tackling the aftermath of the March 11, 2001 earthquake and tsunami. From the reporting updates to the public to the dedication of first responders, ‘The Days’ excels at piecing together the macro- and micro-decisions that went into saving the residents of Fukushima. The series deepens the narrative to be more than a mere recollection with its scenes of the families of the victims and the residents as they evacuate their homes. Its steady pace, emotional close-ups, and suspenseful score capture the harrowing atmosphere of Japan’s worst natural disaster. 

 

What stands out

Employing slow-motion sequences, suspenseful scores, and long eye-level shots allowed the impact of the disaster to sink in. It tempered the rush and panic, giving viewers enough time to experience how long the days felt. Moments of lingering eye contact (or something as simple as following a hose as it fills with water) highlighted the worries and the seeds of hope in every person fighting to save Fukushima. The overall cinematography and editing were imbued with emotion and respect, making it much more than a fictional retelling.

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