Key Points
- The first Godzilla film, directed and co-written by Ishiro Honda, was released in November 1954.
- The fictional monster has picked up fans around the world with its environmental messages.
- Australian cinemas and museums are commemorating the 70th anniversary.
“I think he (Godzilla) is timeless. His movies can be set at any period. In this new age, when we do have lots of natural disasters that happen in our world, he’s still part of it somehow … We always need Godzilla, for all time,” she told SBS Japanese.
The Japan Foundation Sydney hosted a free talk event to celebrate 70 years of Godzilla. Credit: Japan Foundation Sydney
Wilkinson was seven years old when she first set eyes on the Japanese fictional monster, playing the video tape of the original Godzilla film (1954) over and over.
“I loved how the movie made you feel for Godzilla even though he was trampling the city (Tokyo),” Wilkinson said.
Now anniversary celebrations have started globally. In Japan, the mint has readied special commemorative coins, while Australian cinemas like Dendy in Sydney and ACMI in Melbourne are holding special screenings to mark Godzilla Day, 3 November.
‘A monster with significance’
Dr Jason Jones, lecturer and coordinator of Japanese Studies at Monash University, explained Godzilla is not merely a monster to be combated by humankind’s military might.
Dr Jason Jones, lecturer and coordinator of Japanese Studies at Monash University. Credit: Dr Jason Jones
“Godzilla is interpreted as a god from a different world. If Godzilla visits the human world, that means humans did something wrong. You can’t defeat God. It was resurrected again and again. You just need to calm the anger,” Jones said.
While the original film was a reaction to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the bombing of Tokyo, in 1945, he said later films also reflected actual events.
A special edition of a Japanese newspaper displayed at the Godzilla 70th anniversary event at the Japan Foundation Sydney. Credit: SBS
“If you look at a modern film like Shin Godzilla (in 2016), it was affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake (in 2011). Rebuilding cities after destruction is a very Japanese theme,” Jones said.
“No other monster reflects actual events like Godzilla. It’s always been close to Japan, gone through things with Japan (for 70 years).”
‘He was like my first love’
“For me, Godzilla symbolises my love for Japan. I love him so much that I just want to have him like part of me, forever. Because that’s never going away,” Wilkinson said.
“I kind of want to show off my love for him like that. Then maybe other people see it and want to know more about it,” she said.
Elizabeth Wilkinson with her Godzilla collection. Credit: Elizabeth Wilkinson
“I grew up in a very white community, so I had no Asian influence or anything like that, except for Godzilla. Then I got older and discovered more things, I discovered anime, Japanese metal bands, getting a job in the city and meeting more Japanese people at work.
“He (Godzilla) just opened a lot of doors for me. He was like my first love.”
Rare Aussie fan gathering
According to Wilkinson, there are some Facebook groups for international fans, but there are none specifically for Australians.
The Japan Foundation Sydney recently held an event to mark the 70th anniversary of Godzilla. Credit: SBS
Jones was a speaker at the same event, and he praised the audience for their knowledge.
“I already know the drill. I know what needs to be done. I’m ready.”
Listen to SBS Japanese Audio on Tue, Thu and Fri from 1pm on SBS 3.
Replays from 10pm on Tue, Thu and Sat on SBS1.
