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| Above, a Hedorah Bandai figure I bought in Japan in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) (a.k.a. Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster (1972 in the U.S.)) is being celebrated this month.
What's the celebration?
It is the 50th Anniversary of the movie's release by Toho Co., Ltd.
According to Stars & Stripes Japan:
Parco Shibuya Gallery X in cooperation with Toho Co., Ltd. salutes the 50th anniversary of Hedorah aka the Smog Monster from Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) during an art installation in Shibuya, Tokyo until November 23. Gallery X and multiple artisans have come together to champion the repulsive, often loathed, but extremely popular kaiju from the Godzilla film series.
Tune into fascinating, satirical, dark, anti-pollution themes at this psychedelic tribute happening in fashionable Shibuya. Take a trip to the basement floor and see pieces by chandelier artist, Kim Songhe, videographer, Akiko Nakayama, designers, Keiji Ito and Coin Parking Delivery and their collaborations with Marusan Toys. Also, on display are one hundred set photos, and screen-used props and diorama from the brief Hedorah sequence from Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), directed by Ryuhei Kitamura.
The 50-year old Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, directed by Yoshimitsu Banno (1931-2017) was released to U.S. matinee houses in 1972, polarizing fans for decades, but has slithered back with a degree of fresh wind, as new Godzilla generations discover the avant-garde entry. Banno, despite his multimedia, over the top approach was chastised by producer, Tomoyuki Tanaka upon the Japanese release.
Banno, however continually stoking creative fires, became a film format visionary, and ultimately rose to producer on Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla films before his passing.
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| Above, Godzilla vs. Hedorah director Yoshimitsu Banno (second from right) at the Rainforest Cafe in 2005. |
At least the article has some photos to look at.
To read more, go here.
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