Cruel Famine Continent

1973 1h 30m JA

Documentary

Synopsis

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Cruel Famine Continent documents the Great Sahelian drought in West Africa and its effect on the people. The production was an attempt to pivot Toei's output from yakuza films and Toei Porn towards "global issues" and "whatever makes money", as stated by then-Toei president Shigeru Okada. Theatrical proceeds were to be shared as relief funds through the Japanese Red Cross, though the box office returns are unknown. Footage shot for the documentary by Yoshimitsu Banno would later be reused in the 1974 Toho production Prophecies of Nostradamus.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Yoshimitsu Banno
Languages: Japanese
Countries: Japan

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Fun facts 🍿

1 / 4

RUNTIME

Did you know

90 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 4

ERA

Did you know

53 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 4

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 4

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt12397428 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Yoshimitsu Banno directs. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Japan. Dialogue in Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

190 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
253 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4IMDB entry: tt12397428 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.