Kinema Junbo, one of Japan’s leading film magazines, released it’s top ten best foreign films list a few days ago, and one thing grabbed me; they gave their top spot to Flags of Our Fathers. Second came Letters From Iwo Jima and third The Host.
Even if I haven’t seen either of them, I can understand the respect for Letters, it’s their side of the story told for once, but this accolade for Flags?
Is it a political statement? “You understood our side, now we understand yours?” Or is it really a genuine respect for the film? According to most American critics Letters is the better film, but perhaps that’s a political and moral statement as well?
