Campaign 2007
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Produced by STEPS International
Directed by Kazuhiro Soda
DVD, color, 52 min.
College - Adult
Japan, Political Science, Democracy
Date Entered: 01/30/2009
Reviewed by Malcolm L. Rigsby, Department of Sociology, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARWe follow the footsteps of parachute candidate Zazuhiko Yamauchi as he experiences firsthand what it is like to be a first time candidate for a vacant seat on the Kawasaki City Council. His sponsors, Prime Minister Koizumi and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), literally pick and sculpt him to “fit” the party needs. The film depicts Yamauchi as a candidate with no political experience and no charisma. Somehow, we leave with the feeling that Koizumi, a political radical, is choosing candidates that will unquestioningly follow his lead.
We follow Yamauchi to political meetings and his many appearances on the street. His wife and he feel the stress of complying with the commands of his “party leader”. Yet, through the process, we begin to feel that there is a silent promise to Yamauchi, something more than fulfilling a desire to help the people.
We get a good look at the party selection process, the party’s control over the candidate and the candidate’s family life and that even after the election the connection to the party is one that never ends. As we leave the final scene, Yamauchi, in victory, makes the statement that he owes everything to the party and he will from now on pay his debt to them. Obvious silence leaves the audience to question “service to the public.”