Cult Japanese Director Shinya Tsukamoto Unveils Vietnam Vet Drama ‘Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?’
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The English-language film, starring Rodney Hicks as an African American war veteran alongside Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush, is based on a true story and was shot across four countries.
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Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Shinya Tsukamoto, the iconoclastic Japanese filmmaker best known for the body-horror landmark Tetsuo: The Iron Man , has set a Japan release for his latest feature, Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? , an English-language drama based on the true story of an African American Vietnam War veteran who became a peace activist with deep ties to Japan. The film is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters in September, setting up a potential Venice Film Festival launch. The project marks a significant departure for Tsukamoto, who wrote, directed, shot and edited the film — his first primarily English-language feature — across locations in the United States, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. Broadway veteran Rodney Hicks, an original and closing cast member of Rent , takes his first major screen lead as Allen Nelson, while Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony-winner Geoffrey Rush plays Dr. Daniels, a Veterans Affairs physician who intervenes in Nelson’s downward spiral. Tatyana Ali ( The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ) plays Nelson’s wife Linda, and newcomer Mark Merphy appears in flashbacks as the young Nelson. Related Stories Movies Hirokazu Kore-eda's Protégé Unveils Polyamorous Romantic Drama 'Between Two Lovers' TV Filming on 'Tomb Raider' Paused After Star Sophie Turner Suffers "Minor Injury" The film is rooted in the nonfiction account of Nelson, who grew up in New York and enlisted in the Marine Corps at 18, seeking an escape from poverty and discrimination. After training at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, he was deployed to Vietnam in 1966, where he participated in village raids that targeted men, women and children as suspected Viet Cong. He returned home severely traumatized, and spent years homeless before finding treatment through the VA. Nelson went on to devote his life...
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