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  • Essay / Chon Noriega's understanding of Godzilla

    In the article “Godzilla and the Japanese Nightmare: When They!” », Chon Noriega suggests that there are two ways to analyze the film Godzilla: the critical approach (which focuses on the psychoanalysis of cultural changes and historical events) and the concept of Others. He defines the Other as an externalized dynamic to face oneself and emphasizes that in the film “Godzilla”, the United States is seen as the Other. Noriega provides historical context on the change in traditional Japanese society, the H-bomb testing, and popular concern about it. He explains that the film "Godzilla" is special not only because it provides a glimpse of an outside country during the Cold War, but also reveals a culturally and politically different perspective on nuclear and other history. The Japanese monster film differs from other monster films of the time in that it gives their monster a name and a background. In doing so, although Godzilla is the Other, he is always (and always has been) incorporated into culture, thus showing how “a distant past confronts the present” (68). Noriega also introduces a psychoanalytic point, demonstrating that the search for a solution (represented by the search for the weapon against the monster) is just as fascinating as mass destruction. It then shows how Godzilla integrates and shows a clear distinction between the United States (as the others) and Japan (as himself). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Chon Noriega's choice to provide insight into what was happening in the world during the film's release period is a great strategy. Previously, I only thought that the nuclear attack on Japan was the main incitement. However, it was the events following the attack that also played a crucial role in how the Japanese viewed the United States. The U.S. military rebuilt and redefined the Japanese family, society, and education, changing the traditional way they had always been. Later, the H-bomb tests had a significant impact on the Japanese and caused further exposure to radiation, leading to a massive protest against the tests. Finally, it was the Cold War period and Japan was a foreigner. Therefore, I agree with the author when he says that the analysis of the Others can be applied to the film because it is the first monster film that considers the United States as an external nation. Noriega also raises an interesting point about the Japanese view of the monster by stating, "And if Godzilla is so destructive, why do the Japanese sympathize with him as a tragic hero, while Americans only see him as like a comic icon? » (64). This implies that the two nations reacted differently to the story surrounding the film's production. I was also surprised to learn that the United States had altered the original Japanese film and that "Japan's history and own cinematic interpretation were being retextualized to erase the bomb and thus allay concerns about American occupation and the H-bomb tests” (70). This shows that the United States is trying to cover up the disaster it brought to the Japanese nation and demonstrates the guilt caused by the production of the film..