Indie distributor Bitters End sets March 29 release for Christopher Nolan’s Atomic Age epic
Oppenheimer has already earned nearly a billion dollars worldwide, but Christopher Nolan’s epic has yet to open in one major country’s theaters: Japan, where the film is viewed as controversial given its subject matter. (Warner Bros. Japan even had to apologize this summer over some tactless Barbenheimer marketing.)
However, that will change this spring as indie distributors Bitters End has announced plans to bring the Golden Globes-winning Oppenheimer to Japan on March 29, Variety reports.
Back in December, Bitters End — and not Toho-Towa, which usually handles North American film distribution but opted not to release Oppenheimer — announced plans to distribute the movie in Japan, though no release date was scheduled at the time.
“We decided to release this film in Japan after much debate and deliberation, as the themes covered in this film are ones that hold a very significant and special meaning for us as Japanese people,” Bitters End said in a statement at the time, referring to the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; the film doesn’t recreate footage of the actual bombings, but alludes to them and their aftermaths.
The company continued, “This is a spectacular true story drama that depicts the unknown life of a man who holds the fate of the world in his hands while at the same time facing a crisis that could destroy it… It has been hailed as Nolan’s best work ever and is considered a top candidate for various film awards.”
Oppenheimer racked up a Hollywood-leading 13 Academy Awards nominations on March 10, including Best Film, Best Director for Nolan, and three acting awards (Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt). The film has also scheduled its streaming release, landing on Peacock in February.
