Kashima Paradise

Kashima paradise shows to what extent contemporary Japan is caught between its many traditions and the achievements of modern times. In order to remain one of the leading industrial countries, massive petrochemical or steel plants have to be built on former farmland. The farmers receive hardly any compensation for giving up their land and due to the circumstances, they are forced to work on building lots for new plants. Despite protest against the opening of yet another airport or industrial estate, nothing can stop 'progress'. Yann Le Masson is a militant filmmaker for whom it is important to propagate a social message through his work. He cynically reports on the way industrialists make a clever use of the prevailing standards and values with respect to the family. "The gods are the only capitalists in Japan, which does not make the class struggle easier". (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)