Discussion: Godzilla Resurgence
Discussion
Separate the class into groups of 4-5 students, erring on the smaller size. Assign the following questions to the class and allocate 15-20 minutes for these small groups to discuss. As groups discuss these topics, move among groups and evaluate the content/quality of their discourse.
Discussion Questions
- Spend a few minutes in your group discussing your opinion of Godzilla Resurgence.
- Where can you find representations of the "victim's history" in the film?
- What does the monster, Godzilla, represent in the movie? How is this similar or different to the original Godzilla and to All-Out Attack?
- What is the role of women in the film? Has it changed from the original Godzilla and All-Out Attack?
- What is the message about nuclear power, if any, in this film?
- Godzilla Resurgence is noted as a reboot of the Godzilla franchise. Does it also reboot the intentions of the original?
Now, have the small groups choose a single member to act as a representative of their micro-discussion. Then, give the groups 3 minutes to write a question for the class that relates to one of the previously discussed questions. During this time, go from group to group and check their question.
Next, bring the group representatives to the front of the room or arrange all chairs in a circle to facilitate a class-wide discussion. At this point, the group representatives will take turns asking their questions to the class and seeking the other students’ opinions. Give full control of the discussion to the students at this point. The role of the instructor is to evaluate participation and the quality of the discourse. If at any time the students are wandering away from the main topics, interject and course correct them. The following Focal Points are important to cover:
- Godzilla Resurgence is an attempt to reboot the Godzilla franchise for a new generation. It does a good job of analyzing a new and authentic threat to Japan. In the 1950s, weaponized nuclear power was a topic of grave concern to the Japanese following the events at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, since the war, nuclear power has become adopted by Japan as its major source of energy. Nonetheless, after the events of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster, the subject of nuclear power and its safety is once again on the minds of the people Godzilla, the creature, represents this, once again.
- Much like the original film, the beast Godzilla is represented as a neutral biological creature with no morality or motivation.
- A major focus of the film is the seemingly unending bureaucracy of the Japanese government. Attention is placed upon multiple meetings where blame is exchanged but no solutions are generated. The delay in action created by these meetings exacerbates the damage caused by Godzilla. This is an important critique of the governmental system (which trickles down into the world of business, as well) of Japan. Ultimately, the Japanese are loath to make solid decisions as it makes the person who decides stick out from the group, thus breaking the harmony of community.
- At the end of the film, Godzilla is successfully frozen in place and prevented from causing further havoc. The characters of the film agree that they must live with Godzilla now. This is an important moment as, if we take Godzilla to again be the representation of nuclear power, we are now shown that we must live with nuclear power in the society we have created for ourselves. Therefore, like the nuclear power plants all over the country, the Japanese must comprehend and accept the fact that what may destroy them is also the key to their survival.
- In terms of the "victim's history," it could be said that this film utilizes that concept in a way to deny culpability for nuclear meltdowns even as nuclear plants are the primary energy generator in Japan. That is, they are attacked by a beast (i.e. nuclear power), rather than it being a creature that they have had a hand in creating.
- In the film, the United States is blamed for covering up information that could potentially have predicted Godzilla. This echoes the original film as blame is placed upon the U.S. for their nuclear testing in the generation of the original Godzilla.
Homework
Assign a culminating short essay with the following prompt:Write a minimum of five to seven full pages [5-7] on Dragon Head, Godzilla, Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, Grave of the Fireflies, Barefoot Gen, Godzilla Resurgence and the assigned readings and how the Japanese view community and their history. What do these films tell us about Japanese culture and society? How do the Japanese view themselves regarding these themes and what evidence do you have of their expression of these views? Craft a hypothesis and support with evidence from the films and assigned readings.
For example, we see many repeated apocalyptic and destructive images in Japanese popular culture. Why? The answer to "why?" should help you craft your thesis statement. You do not have to discuss all themes; you may pick one main topic.
Example Thesis Statement: Because of its emphasis on group belonging, Japanese culture has led to a proliferation of works that are fascinated with the shaping of individual identity. These works explore the nature of how individual identity is constructed in relation to dominant emphasis on group functioning, blatant resistance to that norm, a changing society, and finally as an internal state.
