What Is the Story About?
A Chernobyl-esque fictional take on the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster that occurred in 2011 following the most drastic Earthquake in Japan’s history followed by Tsunami. Playing over a period of 7 days, the show follows the entire incident from multiple point of views, the government officials, the power plant employees and the Tokyo Electric Power Company employees.
Performances?
One of the biggest heroes of the series, or more like the real life hero, is Kôji Yakusho’s character. The series presents itself as a tribute to the person who died due to cancer. The seasoned actor proves yet again why he is the very hailed veteran of the Industry. From a duty stricken, rule following official to a frustrated by the law and order, rising upto the crisis to fix things up kind of a hero, he peels off layers one after the other very convincingly.
Analysis
Directed by Japan’s Horror master Hideo Nakata & Masaki Nishiura and written by Jun Masumoto, The Days is a screen Adaptation of the book written by Ryûshô Kadota. Much like HBO’s Chernobyl, The Days is a fictionalized account of the deadly Nuclear Disaster that spurred over Japan in 2011.
More like a right to the details fictionalised take on the incident, The Days takes place over a period of 7 days. From the most deadly Earthquake that hit Japan in 2011, to the Tsunami to the impending and deadliest of all – Nuclear Disaster of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
The Days takes a tragic look at how the employees handled the deadly crisis, looming deaths and tragedies and pulled up sleeves of bravery. As a tribute to the bravehearts, the Days begins with the Earthquake and its affect on the plant, followed by a Tsunami that hits the plant that’s just 10 meters above the sea level. The causes deaths of many employees, some trapped and a complete power-outrage in the plant.
Like Chernobyl, we exactly know how The Days will end. But what matters here is how the show showers light on the first account-experiences of the brave men who laid their all to save people. We get to see the entire accident from multiple perspectives, sometimes un-necessarily detailed. There’s also not much spoken about the underlying politics either.
Unlike Chernobyl, The Days fails to get to the point sometimes. Whilst ensuring that every single fact-check is done, the series moves away from the audience’ attention trajectory. This also results in multiple characters that make their entry and exit, but without making an impact except Yakusho’s. Understandably, documentaries do follow such an approach, but for a limited series The Days has too much technical detailing.
To put it short, The Days is definitely a show that deserves your time. It’s a detailed look-back at one of the deadliest disasters in Humankind’s history. It’s also a tribute to the bravehearts who bore it all for the bigger good. However, if the series was trimmed short, probably to a 3 episode format, it’d have been more impactful.
Other Artists?
Fumiyo Kohinata’s Naoto Kan is also a good performance in this almost 8 hour long series. Despite an over-elongated run-time and too much of detailing, the days fails to churn out characters that’d make a space in your heart once the show ends, unlike Chernobyl.
Music and Other Departments?
The VFX work in ‘The Days’ is truly fear-inducing. Be it the earth-quake and its aftermath or the double-scare from the Tsunami or the biggest disaster of all – the nuclear disaster, the camera work truly came through. The background score aptly fits the genre and aids the crisis calls aptly.
Highlights?
Main theme Technical insights Star-cast Direction and VFX work
Drawbacks?
Too Long Too technical at times Un-necessary detailing Other pivotal characters less explored Documentary style Screenplay
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes. The series easily makes a double-bill feature alongside Chernobyl.
The Dyas Series Review by Binged Bureau
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