One adjective frequently associated with the cinema of Shimizu Hiroshi would be "humane". Both before the war and after, the director showed considerable insights and understanding of human nature in his works, specially those that deal with the psychology of children. But alas, during the war-time, Shimizu's filmography included a dark chapter. Back then, all Japanese cinema was under the control of the state, and if you wished to work, you did the films you were assigned. At least hopefully that is the case, it would be depressing to think that a guy like Hiroshi would do a film like this willingly.
"Sayon no kane" (Sayon's Bell, 1943) is based on an alleged true story of a young Taiwanese girl, who drowned while helping to carry the luggage of her Japanese teacher, in 1938. This is a clear propaganda narrative, a tribute to those loyal servants in occupied Asian nations like Taiwan. The film opens nicely enough. Shimizu opts for a documentarist touch, and shows the Taiwanese countryside and the people living there extensively. The cinematography is good and you can see that Shimizu is a storyteller from the silent days, he does not need the dialogue, even though this film eventually starts having some.
It is the purpose of the imagery which is tasteless. The film strives to show the Taiwanese as undeveloped, rural people, who lack the civilized ways of the Japanese, and should therefore become their servants. Of course, happily and out of free will. The film is very heavy-handed with Japanese symbols, kicking off with characters bowing to the flag, later incorporating the national anthem and other patriotic songs, and featuring the Japanese as teachers, from whom other nations can learn from, after acknowledging their superiority.
This film is all-but-impossible to watch because of the slimy nature of the narrative, which is a real shame. The star, Yamaguchi Shirley, is charismatic, and Shimizu is a pro who at least can make the film look nice. But one can not set aside, that Shimizu is clearly on the wrong side of history here.
