100 Thai soldiers to act in Manipuri film ‘My Japanese Niece’

Source:

Imphal, March 18 2013: Manipuri film director Mohen Naorem’s dream celluloid project ‘My Japanese Niece’ (MJN) is all set to feature 100 Thai soldiers who will act voluntarily in the film.

They will play the role of Japanese soldiers during World War II in the film that depicts the deep yearning of a young Japanese girl to find her uncle who never returned home after going to the war in Manipur, said Mohen.

This comes after the Royal Thai Army was approached by Alfred Johnson, a former US military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, who will manage the shooting of MJN in Thailand, he added.

Mohen is all set to begin shooting the film in Tokyo and some parts of Japan next month.

Later the crew will come to India before winding up the whole shooting exercise in Thailand.

Besides engaging eight foreign actors, Mohan (37) has also chosen some Manipuri actors for his film.

Japanese model Yu Asada and London-based actor Junichi Kajioka will take the protagonists’ roles � the niece and her uncle soldier.

“Shooting in Thailand will start by mid May where we will be arranging all war scenes of the film and this part will be managed by Alfred Johnson,” he said.

Johnson, an American, has 12 years experience in explosives and explosive effects from serving in the US military as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, and later as owner and principal trainer in explosives in his company ‘Raven International Security Company’ (RISC), he said.

“On Johnson’s approach, the Royal Thai Army has agreed to provide 100 Thai soldiers to act in my film during the shooting days in Thailand,” Mohen added.

The war scenes will focus on “Battle of Kanglatongbi or Lion Box” which was very important during WW II.

Junichi (uncle) was part of the Japanese troops coming to Manipur and fought against the Allied troops during the war and he never returned to his native country leaving his family in suspense over the question of whether he died in the war or not.

Asada comes to Manipur to pay homage to her uncle after two decades of the war and in her dream her uncle tells her to visit a distant place to find some documents kept by him.

With the help of her Manipuri guide, Asada moves to the village where she finds unposted letters and war diaries of her uncle.

via NorthEast Calling - NorthEast India | India's No1 online News Magazine http://www.necalling.com/100-thai-soldiers-to-act-in-manipuri-film-my-japanese-niece/