70 years on: Battle of Imphal to premiere at MFDC

Correspondent IMPHAL, JUNE 27 [dropcap]A[/dropcap]ll are set for the world premiere of Japanese actor and filmmaker Junichi Kajioka’s 30 minute film Imphal 1944 at Manipur Film Development Corporation auditorium in Imphal at the end of closing ceremony of the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Imphal (World War II) tomorrow(June 28). The film, inspired by a true story of a Japanese war veteran Masao Hirakubo,OBE(Order of the British Empire), who fought in the battle of Imphal and Kohima(between March 8,1944 to July 3, 1944) in the World War II which was named as the greatest ever battle involving British forces,is dedicated to the people who lost their lives,says actor turned Director Kajioka. The film which was entirely shot in UK, carries the message of reconciliation and peace between old enemies, Director Kajioka said. Later, the film, about Manipur and its people who helped the soldiers thus helping many of them survive the battle, will be shown at other International film festivals, adds Kajioka while speaking to reporters here today. “I wanted to shot it(film) in Manipur but I couldn’t due to limited budget, but the film was named as Imphal 1994 as an effort to introduce Imphal(Manipur) to the global audience,”says Kajioka.“But I will try to include (Manipur)in the upcoming films.” The battles of Kohima and Imphal battles involving about 2,00,000 soldiers, which marked the highpoint of the Japanese forces advance into India, claimed the lives of 30,000 Japanese, left 23,000 and 600 were captured. Among the 50,000 support, there were 15,000 casualties. On the other hand, the Allies suffered 17,500 casualties. Hirakubo returned home to Yokohama in 1946 after the war ended, he found his family home destroyed by allied bombing. He then went to London and rebuilt his life and founded the Burma campaign to initiate peace– before retiring as a lieutenant. He died in 2008 at the age of 88. Kajioka, who researched and wrote the story, was touched by Hirakubo’s words. Imphal 1944 aims to be a symbol of peace between Britain, Japan and Manipur, adds the Japanese Director who is now bringing lesser known battles of the World War II to a wider audience.There is a growing international interest in good cinema, whether it is a story of the periphery or mainstream, feels Kajioka who acted in films such as 47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves and The Flowers of War starring Christian Bale.