In the Radiation Zone: Revisiting Minamisoma (part 2 of 3)

[jezzmoto]

Why did you not have your own geiger meter?

[DocumentingIan]

@jezzmoto Thank you for your question. We do use a geiger counter and some people that we meet in Minamisoma also wear one, but we don't always show them while we are filming.

[woola88]

The last 30 seconds at the exclusion zone.... I couldn't help but think what a beautiful place this is with the mountains and the setting sun.

Thanks for sharing.

[DocumentingIan]

@woola88 You are right: this is such a beautiful part of Japan. We can see the beauty of the mountains, of the sun, of the people. It is the invisible threat, the radiation, that we cannot see.

[yeahjesse]

Please post more videos about your future projects--about Japan, or anything. The "to be concluded" line made me realize how much I would miss it.

[DocumentingIan]

@yeahjesse Thank you so much for watching, and I am so honoured that you want to see more of our work! Not to worry, the "to be concluded" is just referring to the current 3-part "Revisiting Minamisoma" that we filmed last month (by the way, part 3 will be up in just a little while). We have already filmed our next update and are about to start editing it. We are going to be filming these people's stories until they recover. We hope you will be watching and thinking of them for just as long.

[yeahjesse]

@DocumentingIan I will.

[qweqeqeqdsx22222]

I think its great what you do! And the voice of this old man should reach the whole world or at least people who are not against nuclear power!!!!!!!!!!! Actually its not common that japanese people protest or something, but they did a while ago, and this shows that most of them dont want nuclear power anymore! there ARE different opportunitys for them, even if some people say that they ONLY HAVE the chance to use nuclear power, because they cant anything else!

[DocumentingIan]

@qweqeqeqdsx22222 Thank you for watching! I am glad that you feel that the people being interviewed have an important message that should be heard by the world.

[stormko]

I appreciate this series about the situation in Minamisoma.

However, I think it was rude to shoot people who didn't want to be filmed, and, despite knowing that, you also to put them in the final edit. Not cool, especially since it had no real impact on the video. And, for me, it kinda takes some of the sincerity out your attempt.

I still think your overall intent is genuine, but perhaps you should be more considerate of these people. If not, you'll just be another douche-bag "news" crew.

[DocumentingIan]

@stormko I agree with you that people should not be filmed without there consent. What you do not see in this footage, is that I ALWAYS ask for permission to film. You wouldn't know this from watching the video that I posted, but the young woman on the left is a local person and she guided us around the temporary housing units where she knew all of the people. In the scene you refer to, the woman DID give their permission to be filmed, but became shy when we turned the camera on. (continued)

[DocumentingIan]

@stormko (continued) All the woman in that group gave permission to be filmed and for it to be used. Furthermore, I disagree with you that the scene did not add to the whole story. In April people wanted to share their personal stories and now many do not is a significant part of the story and indicates a big emotional change. Am I a "douche-bag news crew"? I suppose the viewers must look at all of my videos and decide for themselves if I can be trusted. I hope that you find that I can.

[stormko]

@DocumentingIan Well, like I said, I do believe that you are being genuine.

The video gives off the impression that you were filming people who did not want to be on camera. My misunderstanding, then, comes from how it is edited. So it is a mistake on both of our parts (my failure to understand based on an incomplete portrayal).

I'm not saying that you are a douche-bag news crew. I'm saying that you would be if you were filmming people who didn't want to be on camera.

Fair enough?

[DocumentingIan]

@stormko I understand the confusion and will try to offer more context where I can in clips that I put online, while still keeping in mind that clips I put online are only a brief edited portrait and different from the documentaries I make where there is more time to develop the story and provide background for what is happening. I share your concern for how the people who have been so affected by this great tragedy are treated. Thank you for watching and for your honest reaction comments.

[maigono2010]

this guy is nuts going out there. 

[DocumentingIan]

@maigono2010 "Nuts" would be to not try to understand what has happened and what continues to happen. "Nuts" would be to forget about the suffering that these people are STILL going through.

[sweetilleyad]

This is a reall amazing documentry. I can't beleive 6 months have passed since you showed us some of the earliest footage to emerge from the triple disasster. I just wanted to say that I am glad you are continueing to make people aware of what's happening in japan, and to show how to disaster has effected people on a personal and intimate level. It's really well done. BTW, as a side note- your Japanese is really good.

[DocumentingIan]

@sweetilleyad Thank you so much for watching. I also can't believe that six months has passed already! Although some people have been moved into temporary housing, you can see that there is still much work to be done. Please continue to keep these people in your thoughts!

[BizBony]

Waiting for Part-3. Guys you are doing realy good job for informing us about the situation. Thank You Ian and Colin! :)

[DocumentingIan]

@BizBony Thank you so much for your encouraging words! 

[alessandrotesei]

Good work guys!i m from Italy and now im here in Japan filming this situation as well as you!World must know how terrible is when something like that appear....

[DocumentingIan]

@alessandrotesei Thank you for commenting! I wish you success on your filming, too. Please let me know where we can see your work. Be safe!