Watch The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On

The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On is a 1987 documentary film directed by Kazuo Hara. It follows a deeply disturbing personal story of Kenzo Okuzaki, a World War II veteran who has devoted his life to exposing the Japanese government's responsibility for war atrocities. Okuzaki's story begins with his arrest and imprisonment for protesting his former commanding officer's denial of a military massacre. Upon his release, Okuzaki begins a one-man crusade, fueled by a profound sense of outrage at the government's lack of accountability. He travels around Japan, searching for surviving witnesses and victims of the wartime atrocities, and gathering evidence of the government's complicity.

The film is a deeply unsettling and sometimes shocking account of Okuzaki's unrelenting pursuit of the truth, often at great personal cost. Okuzaki is plainly unwell, both physically and mentally, and his methods are frequently violent and confrontational. He accosts government officials and former soldiers, yelling at them and sometimes physically attacking them, in his quest for justice.

Through interviews with Okuzaki's former comrades and family members, the film offers some insight into his troubled past. He has spent years in mental institutions and has a history of criminal convictions, including attempted murder. His family is deeply divided over his actions, with some supporting his campaign for justice and others expressing concern for his mental health.

Despite its difficult subject matter and unflinching portrayal of one man's obsessive quest for justice, The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On is a truly exceptional documentary. It is masterfully constructed, with precise editing and a powerful score that heighten the film's tremendous emotional impact. It captures the desperation and bitterness of a man who has dedicated his life to seeking the truth at all costs, and it poses difficult questions about justice, accountability, and the role of the government in wartime atrocities.

The film also serves as a powerful indictment of the Japanese government's handling of its wartime past. Okuzaki's relentless pursuit of justice stands in stark contrast to the government's systematic efforts to suppress evidence and silence survivors. The film reveals the pervasive sense of denial and complacency in Japanese society, where the horrors of the past are often regarded as something best forgotten.

In the end, The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On is an unflinching and deeply moving documentary that will leave viewers shaken and disturbed. It is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking, to the courage of one man in the face of overwhelming adversity, and to the crucial importance of facing up to the darkest moments in our collective history.