"The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga" Official Trailer

Above, Jonathan Bellés at Ginza Crossing in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now available on YouTube (and here, below) is the official trailer for The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga, a documentary film on Godzilla by Jonathan Bellés.





For more, go here.

"The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga" Trailer Coming

Above, Jonathan Bellés with the Toho Studios Godzilla statue. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Documentary producer Jonathan Bellés has a new trailer on his documentary, The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga, that will be available July 1. He has been working on this documentary since 2014.

Discover the new documentary film about Godzilla, The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga created by Spanish film director Jonathan Bellés who will introduce us to the origin of this legend who will introduce us to the origin of this legend. It’s connections with the Atomic Bomb and the Nuclear Threat are well known, but how has this affected for more than 60 years of Godzilla movies? This documentary film discovers this story through interviews with more than 20 Japanese artists that have worked on the Godzilla movies from 1954 until now. Some of these faces are Akira Takarada, Haruo Nakajima, Akira Kubo, Yukiko Kobayashi, Shusuke Kaneko, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Koichi Kawakita, Ishii Yoshikatzu, Shinji Higuchi among others. Follow us on @Dawnofkaiju and www.451prods.com. 

This trailer is available with English, Spanish and French subtitles.

Above, special effects director Eiichi Asada is interviewed for the documentary at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the website for The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga, go here. 

New "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Trailer With Spanish Subtitles

Above, Jonathan Bellés at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have come across many Godzilla fans from south of the U.S. border.

In fact, this blog receives a lot of view hits from Central America and South America.

Therefore, it is only fitting (and natural) that producer/director Jonathan Bellés, who hails from Spain, should include a Spanish-subtitled version for Spanish-speaking fans. From what Jonathan has told me, there are a lot of kaiju fans in Spain.

So, here is a blog with the new trailer for Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga for those fans.




On occasion, the Spanish-language television stations in Los Angeles plays Godzilla movies dubbed in Spanish. I sat down and watched one of the Heisei Series of Godzilla films (it was either Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla or Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, I have forgotten which) at one time and thought it was interesting that the Spanish dubbing seemed to fit the lip movements of the Japanese actors more closely than does the English dubbing.

Above, a Spanish lobby card for Godzilla vs. Megalon.*

*To see more vintage Godzilla lobby cards, go here.

New "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Trailer Released

Spanish producer and director Jonathan Bellés has unveiled a new trailer for his doctoral project documentary, Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga.

The trailer, with an original music score, features Godzilla suit-actors Haruo Nakajima and Kenpachiro Satsuma, actor Akira Takarada and directors Shusuke Kaneko and Masaaki Tezuka.

The trailer also features shots of the Lucky Dragon No. 5, the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, the torii gate at Miyajima as well as the Godzilla statue and the Seven Samurai mural at the main entrance of Toho Studios in Setagaya, Tokyo.

Above, Jonathan Bellés at the Godzilla statue in Hibiya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I joined Bellés in Japan last February when he began his interviews, starting with special effects Eiichi Asada (Godzilla x Mechagodzilla, Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and Godzilla Final Wars) and first assistant special effects director Yoshikazu Ishii (Godzilla Final Wars). 

Trailer Music For "Godzilla & Hiroshima" - Making Of

Jonathan Bellés sent over a video link on the making of the "Godzilla & Hiroshima" trailer music.

"Godzilla & Hiroshima" Documentary Update At Universe G

Above, Jonathan Bellés with the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Universe G.com has posted an article on the progress of the documentary, "Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga" by Jonathan Bellés of Spain.

They talked with producer/director Bellés about the project and asked him how the documentary is proceeding.

The article begins with:

Spanish Film Director and Producer John Bels began his journey to produce and direct the nonprofit documentary film “Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga” in 2013 and recently the documentary is in the final stages to release its first trailer.

Universe-G recently talked to producer and director John Bels and he told us the project is moving along and he has plenty of footage and interviews to complete his documentary. The new trailer is set to be released sometime this summer  and the Documnetary sometime in early 2015. Director Bels informed Universe-G he will give us a definitive date of its released as soon as the trailer is nearly completed.

I joined Bellés in Japan in February and sat in on his interviews with Special Effects Director Eiichi Asada and director Yoshikazu Ishii at Toho Studios.

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and Armand in Japan.

To read the full article, go here.

At The Tsukuba Hotel

Above, Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii and Armand in the lobby of the Tsukuba Hotel in Ueno, Tokyo.

It has been a little over a month since I left Japan. Time sure does fly!

I don't believe that I posted the above photo before. It is of Jonathan Bellés, Yoshikazu Ishii (assistant special effects director of Godzilla Final Wars) and myself at the Tsukuba Hotel lobby in Ueno the night of Bellés's arrival in Japan. I had arrived in Japan a few days before and we met up in the hotel lobby that evening. Bellés had a much easier time getting into Tokyo than I did and arrived that afternoon from Spain.

Bellés was in Japan to conduct interviews and to visit Hiroshima for his documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of the Kaiju Eiga.

Japan Daily Picks Up 3 Blog Posts

The latest Japan Daily online newspaper is out and it picked up three of my blog posts:

The first one was on Paris, France being named (allegedly) the top destination of tourists which, for reasons stated in my blog post, I am skeptical about.

The second was on seeing Jessica Claros, who acted as Jonathan Bellés's translator during his interviews in Japan for his documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of the Kaiju Eiga in NHK World's Journeys In Japan. I am a regular viewer of NHK World and was watching Journeys In Japan on recovery efforts of several communities when, surprisingly, Jessica was the "tour hostess" on the show. Small world! I met Jessica last month at Toho Studios.

The third was on the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

To see The Japan Daily, go here.

Bellés Interviews: Behind The Scenes At Toho Studios

Above, Jonathan Bellés setting up his equipment. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent trip to Japan, I joined producer/director Jonathan Bellés at Toho Studios for his first interviews in Japan for his documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of the Kaiju Eiga.

Above, Jessica Claros reviewing her notes. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At Toho, we were joined by interpreters Jessica Claros and David Munoz as well as Yoshikazu Ishii. For the interviews, we were permitted to use a meeting room that overlooks the main entrance to Toho Studios. From the meeting room's window, we could see the Godzilla statue and Seven Samurai mural.

Above, interviewees Yoshikazu Ishii (center) and Eiichi Asada (right) arrive at Toho. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a bright and cheery room with couches, tables, a big-screen television set and carpeting.

Above, Eiichi Asada being interviewed. David Munoz stands in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We arrived at the studio an hour early so Jonathan Bellés could set up his equipment, which included lights, reflectors and several stands.

Above, Eiichi Asada during his interview. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first to be interviewed was special effects director Eiichi Asada. While Jonathan Bellés manned the camera, Jessica Claros questioned the interviewees from notes provided by Bellés. Munoz assisted whenever someone got stuck on a phrase or needed more clarification. Both Japan-based interpreters specialize in Japanese-Spanish language interpreting.

Above, Yoshikazu Ishii as he was interviewed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Following Asada's interview, Bellés then interviewed Yoshikazu Ishii on his role as assistant (under Asada) special effects director of Godzilla Final Wars.

When each interview was completed, group photos were taken. The first one (below), was with Eiichi Asada.

Above, from left are David Munoz, Jonathan Bellés, Asada, Jessica Claros and Yoshikazu Ishii. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the interview with Yoshikazu Ishii, another group shot was taken, this time with yours truly in it.

I did manage to break away and grab a quick bite to eat (curry and rice) at the studio cafeteria and buy a few souvenirs (a t-shirt for my daughter Amber and a hat and jacket for me).

Above, Jessica Claros and Jonathan Bellés. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was interesting to observe how Jonathan Bellés works and get past the language barrier. The two interpreters did a fine job during the interviews.

The final shot (below), courtesy of Jonathan Bellés and David Munoz, was taken during camera set-up for Yoshikazu Ishii's interview.

Above, from left, yours truly, Yoshikazu Ishii, Jessica Claros and Jonathan Bellés. Photo by David Munoz.

Bellés interviewed several others at different locations following my departure from Japan. They include Akira Takarada, Masaaki Tezuka, Koichi Kawakita, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Teruyoshi Nakano and others.

Jonathan Bellés Making Progress On "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Documentary

Above, Jonathan Bellés with Eiichi Asada at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jonathan Bellés, who is currently hard at work in Japan conducting interviews for his upcoming documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga, has already interviewed the following (whose names kaiju fans should be familiar with): Akira Takarada, Koichi Kawakita, Eiichi Asada, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Yoshikazu Ishii, Shusuke Kaneko and Teruyoshi Nakano.

Last week, I joined Bellés at Toho Studios when he conducted the first two interviews (Eiichi Asada and Yoshikazu Ishii) and was his guide around the Hibiya and Ginza sections of Tokyo. We found that the Lucky Dragon No. 5 exhibit was closed for the day when we arrived. Bellés said he would go back on another day.

Along with the interviews with the aforementioned (and more to come), Bellés plans to take a trip to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

A Great Day In Japan

Above, here I am with Jessica Claros, Yoshikazu Ishii and Jonathan Bellés at Toho Studios.

Today worked out quite well in Tokyo.

Early this morning, Jonathan Bellés and I headed off to Setagaya go to Toho Studios for the first round of interviews Bellés is conducting for his documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga. As Bellés had never been to Japan before, I acted as his tour guide to get him to Toho.

When we arrived in Setagaya, we were greeted by Yoshikazu Ishii and shortly thereafter, special effects director Eiichi Asada. Asada and Ishii worked together on the special effects scenes of 2004's Godzilla Final Wars. Bellés interviewed both for the documentary.

Above, Eiichi Asada waiting for the interview to begin. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While wandering around, I saw how Toho Studios has changed quite a lot since I first stepped inside back in 2001. Many of the old buildings, including the old diner, office buildings, Tsuburaya's office/workshop (then occupied by Koichi Kawakita) and the big pool are gone and replaced by bigger and modern sound stages and an office complex. I feel fortunate to have been able to see Toho Studios when it still looked as it did when kaiju eiga reigned supreme under Eiji Tsuburaya, Ishiro Honda and Tomoyuki Tanaka. I had the feeling that I was returning to the site of an old favorite restaurant that was replaced by a modern mini-mall. The place lost a lot of historical value when the studio demolished the old facilities.

Above, the Actor's Center that include the cafeteria. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The new (I guess ten or so years can still be considered "new") Toho cafeteria was modern and efficient, but it lacks the charm and personality of the old diner with its "ancient" Coca-Cola fountain dispenser, fixtures, decor and furnishings. The old studio diner made a visitor feel as if they went back into time to a different era. One thing I have to say about the new cafeteria, they have excellent food. I tried the curry and rice bowl and it was great! Normally, I don't go for curry.

Above, a collage of photos of Toho's Golden Age in the cafeteria. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was very nice of Toho Studios to allow us the use one of their meeting rooms for Bellés's interviews.

The day ended with an additional highlight. I met up with Ai, one of the girls I used as a promo model for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. Originally from Hokkaido, Ai lives in Tokyo and works at a major department store these days. It was good to catch up on things since we did our photo shoot three years ago.

At Toho Studios

Today was spent at Toho Studios as Jonathan Bellés was interviewing special effects director Eiichi Asada and Yoshikazu Ishii for his documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga.

Here's a couple of photos of the day:

Above, yours truly with Eiichi Asada at Toho Studios. 

Above, here are (from left) yours truly, Jessica Claros, Jonathan Bellés and Yoshikazu Ishii at the Godzilla statue.

Japan, Things Coming Together

Above, a view down the Sumida River from Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Things are progressing for the upcoming trip to Japan.

Besides working on more material for an updated The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan, I will also be assisting Jonathan Bellés with interviews for his documentary, Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga.

I will also have a luncheon meeting with two executives of JapanTravel (formerly JapanTourist), the Japan travel-oriented website that I contribute to (the trip will also provide me with some material for future articles there) in the Roppongi section of Tokyo.

Japan Booking Completed

Above, the Tsukuba Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides reading about how screwed up the Obama Administration has made the U.S. healthcare system, foreign policy (should we really feel better that Vice President Joe Biden is in Asia this week?) and pretty much everything else, I made my hotel and airline reservations for next year's trip to Japan.

The only snag about that was the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, my favorite Tokyo hotel, was all booked up. Granted, I could have put myself on a waiting list in case a room should become available, but I prefer a certainty about my accommodations. So, I opted instead to stay at the Tsukuba Hotel in the Ueno area of Tokyo, where I stayed in 2005.

The Tsukuba Hotel is a business hotel and their rooms are small, but I don't need a lot of room, just a place to sleep and clean up. It is a subway stop or two away from Asakusa's Nakamise Street and, also, Kitchen Town (where I plan to pick up some cutlery for my "roomie").

I will be working on gathering more material for an updated The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan and helping out producer/director Jonathan Bellés as he conducts interviews for his documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of the Kaiju Eiga.

Above, my 2005 room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The airline I will be flying on is United. This'll be my first time with them since 2005 (I think). The last several trips have been via Korean Air. I go with the best price, rather than with any particular airline. I got a good price on the base ticket: $160. But the taxes and fees made the total amount shoot up to over $800. If I had gotten a ticket for a base price of $480 (which was the next available price), the total would have been about $1,200. At least the room rates I got (¥4400/night) will make the airfare bite a little less.

Jonathan Bellés and "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan"

On November 24, Jonathan Bellés, producer/director of the upcoming documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga, spoke at the 2nd Cultural Cycle Japan in Valencia, Spain at the La Petxina Cultural Center.

Jonathan Bellés gave a lecture on his documentary Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga. During his lecture, he also discussed The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

The accompanying photos show Bellés with the travel guide.

Jonathan Bellés Discusses Godzilla Documentary At 2nd Cultural Cycle Japan In Spain

On November 24, producer/director Jonathan Bellés gave a presentation on "Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga" in Valencia, Spain. Posted below, is the video of his presentation.

Here is the description of the video in Spanish:

Dentro de las actividades del 2º Ciclo Cultural de Japón en Valencia, en el Centro Cultural La Petxina, Jonathan Bellés ofrece una conferencia sobre su documental "Godzilla & Hiroshima: Los Albores del Kaiju Eiga", además de responder a las preguntas del público asistente.

And, a rough translation:

Among the activities of the 2nd Cultural Cycle Japan in Valencia, at La Petxina Cultural Center, Jonathan Bellés gives a lecture on his documentary "Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Dawn of Kaiju Eiga" plus answer questions from the audience. 

Note: Jonathan Bellés discusses a "certain travel guide" 42 minutes into the video.

Here's a still from the presentation:

Above, Jonathan Bellés discusses his upcoming documentary.  Photo courtesy of Jonathan Bellés.

Jonathan Bellés Discusses Godzilla and Hiroshima Documentary on Spanish Television

Producer/director Jonathan Bellés discusses his documentary on Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga on Spanish television.


Entrevista a Jonathan Bellés en TV CS from Producciones 451 on Vimeo.

Planning Ahead and Returning To Japan

Above, yours truly is heading back to the "Land of the Big G" early next year.

This year's crop check has arrived and now I can turn my attention to my planning for the next few months. Although corn prices are well below last year's, this years crop is the best in ages (I'm told) with a far better-than-average per acre yield, which made up quite a bit of the difference.

Since the "demise" of ComiXpress, I had to find another self-publishing house for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. I've decided to go with Ka-Blam Digital Publishing (catchy name, eh?). After deciding, this left me with two options:

1. Make slight modifications to the current edition of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan and publish that way at Ka-Blam. Or,

2. To a complete revision/update of the travel guide and publish through Ka-Blam.

I've decided on option two. This decision requires that I head over to Japan for more material. I've no problem with this, as I have been "chafing at the bit" to make the trip. I will be going early next year. Since I will be doing so for the guide, I can write off most, if not all, of my travel expenses from my income taxes (just like I did three years ago). Since the dollar is performing much better against the yen in exchange rates and given the cheap airfare prices I've been finding lately, this is the perfect time to go. I hope to have everything done and having it published by Spring.

For those who can't wait for the second edition, do not fret as I have plenty of copies of the current edition available. Go here for ordering details.

This trip will be combined with assisting Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of the Kaiju Eiga producer/director Jonathan Bellés as he gathers material for his documentary. We will be deciding on the trip dates and make plans accordingly.

Once I return, work will begin on the "second edition" of the travel guide.

The trip will be something to look forward to as 2013 ends and 2014 begins.

Godzilla Closes Out Weekend of Horrors

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Bellés.

Germany's Weekend of Horrors 2013 is now history and Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of the Kaiju Eiga documentary producer/director Jonathan Bellés sent a couple of photos.

This first one, Haruo Nakajima is viewing the trailer for the documentary:

Above, according to Jonathan Bellés: "Mr. Nakajima follows the trailer music with his head and hands.
 He loves it. You can see the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_mpSRvKYsI."

Closing out the convention, a screening of Ghidrah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964), featuring Haruo Nakajima is presented:

Above, according to Bellés:  "And to close Weekend of Horrors,  [they] present the famous movie
 "Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster" (1964). Mr. Nakajima played Godzilla, you can see him in this photo."

Haruo Nakajima and Jonathan Bellés

Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Dawn of the Kaiju Eiga producer/director Jonathan Bellés sent over this photo of Haruo Nakajima and himself at the Weekend of Horrors Convention in Germany.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Bellés.