This presentation focuses on such issues as war, law, power, and violence as represented in the Western film genre. It focuses on a comparison of issues present and repressed in Clint Eastwood’s critically acclaimed Unforgiven (1992) and its remake (Yurusarezaru mono, 2013) by the ethnic Korean/Japanese director Lee Sang-il.

Takashi Fujitani is Professor of History at the University of Toronto where he also holds the Dr. David Chu Chair in Asia-Pacific Studies. Much of his past and current research has centered on the intersections of nationalism, colonialism, war, memory, racism, ethnicity, and gender. His major works include:  Splendid Monarchy (UC Press, 1996); Race for Empire: Koreans as Japanese and Japanese as Americans during WWII (UC Press, 2011) and Perilous Memories: The Asia Pacific War(s) (co-edited, Duke U. Press, 2001). He is also editor of the series Asia Pacific Modern (UC Press). 

Professor Fujitani is giving a talk as part of the Saturday University series sponsored by the Seattle Art Museum on February 17. For details see Seattle Art Museum Gardner Center for Asian Art and Ideas.