Cruel Famine Continent

Cruel Famine Continent

  • Overview
  • Crew

Status

Released

Release Date

Jun 20, 1973

Runtime

1h 30m

Genres

Documentary

Original Title

残酷飢餓大陸

Production Companies

Nirasawa Film

Director

Yoshimitsu Banno

Description

Cruel Famine Continent documents the Great Sahelian drought in West Africa and its effect on the people. The production was an attempt to pivot Toei's output from yakuza films and Toei Porn towards "global issues" and "whatever makes money", as stated by then-Toei president Shigeru Okada. Theatrical proceeds were to be shared as relief funds through the Japanese Red Cross, though the box office returns are unknown. Footage shot for the documentary by Yoshimitsu Banno would later be reused in the 1974 Toho production Prophecies of Nostradamus.