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As part of this year's ongoing celebration of 150
years of Japan-U.S. relations, filmmaker Ed
Zwick, director of The Last Samurai, the
film's producer, Marshall Herskovitz and
Columbia University Professor Carol Gluck
participated in a panel discussion at the
Ambassador's residence on the evening of
November 10th.
Approximately 100 guests, including well known
New Yorkers and representatives from the
American and Japanese business and media
communities, turned out for the night's
special event. Following a warm greeting from
Ambassador Ando, the three panelists took
turns discussing Mr. Zwick's new film, a
fictional account of the exploits of a former
American soldier in 1870's Japan (played by
Tom Cruise) whose life is forever changed
through his encounter with the samurai and
their philosophy of bushido.  from left Columbia
University Professor Carol Gluck, Director of The Last Samurai, Filmmaker Ed Zwick and The film's producer, Marshall Herskovitz
The film's two creators discussed the making of their
film, and why they were inspired to set the
story in this period in Japan's history.
Professor Gluck spoke eloquently about Meiji
era Japan and told the story of the famed
Saigo Takamori, the real life "last samurai",
upon which the film's character Katsumoto
(played by Ken Watanabe) is based. During a
question and answer session the audience had a
chance to ask questions about the film and
Japanese history.
 
Immediately following the discussion, Warner Bros.
Pictures hosted a special advanced screening
of The Last Samurai at a nearby theater. The
Last Samurai opens in theaters December 5th.
 
 
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