Hashima - Part 1 and 2 and in better resolution

[@nordanstad]

Thank you!! Very kind of you! the film was made in 2002, and shortly before the island was permanently closed off as "danger zone" with punishment, even of deportation, for those who illegally got on it. We got there renting a small boat and a great, brave lady to take us there, and we spent the night living on the ground floor of the school building. An interesting night for sure.. The film has been screen in its "installation format" in many museums and galleries. more info if you write!

[@EvenStarMN]

Thanks. Very interesting documentary.

[@Sol-Cutta]

KZbin are infuriating, making copyrighted music removable...it was a terrible decision to sell KZbin to Google. This ensured it went from a public forum for creativity into a strictly controlled corporate graveyard of certification and censorship. And this is the result..even professional documentaries must remove music not purchased and licensed by them. Money over creativity.

[@NERGYStudios]

Beautiful, as he said, for some people it may just be an island that cannot generate any profit, but for some, it IS their past, an essential part of their life. THAT cannot be thrown away.

[@damminochmol7426]

Von den zahlreichen Videos über Hashima ist dieses das beste und eindruckvollste, weil hier ein tatsächlich ehemaliger Bewohner nach mehr als 30 Jahren die Wohnräume wieder betritt und schildert, in welchen er mit seine Familie gelebt hat.Das Ganze ist schon irgendwie gruselig.....

[@luv2luv720]

I thought it was cool to see his mom's decorations and his sisters height growth chart.

[@SasapessoS]

Let me add more information: It belonged to Mitsubushi, which got the rights to use as a result of Meiji bureaucracy desire for rapid industrialization. When an epidemic occured during late 19th century, the dead and the infected were burned together. The ill were burned alive. Most of the labor were forcibly brought there for many decades. Usually they died of young age. The mine tunnels weren't of normal size, people should crawl to do their work. Many workers wanted to run but they couldn't pass the sea. Plus, if caught their superiors could (and did) kill them. Life became somewhat normal only after the second world war. This guy belongs to the last generation and he saw only the 'golden age' of Hashima. Romanticizing the island cannot clean its bloody past.

[@kayballen5]

Sasapesso S The ill were burned alive? Show the evidence. 592 fonzy explain well, so I will share with you: Too many Koreans came to Japan willingly for better living.then the Japanese government started voyage regulation,but still there were so many Korean smugglers into Japan.and they made an excuse of "forced labor".the parents of Son Masayoshi,the richest man in Japan came to Japan in this way.and Han Jyong-yu, one of the smugglers and who later became Top 10 billionaire in Japan says, in this way they were not reported to police and they even got sympathy from Japanese people.and Japanese knew S.Korea fabricated history and culture or whatever between Japan.and it was bearable as long as they did it for domestic use.but since President Park has been fanatically spreading it to all the WORLD and crying over they are the victims of Japan.then even Pro-S.Korean Japanese(like me) started to get fed up with them.this is something i want to tell the Western people.

[@tinfoilsombrero8283]

Sasapesso S I believe you, Sasapesso. Thank you for sharing this important information.

[@kristyhwang8899]

Kay Ballen fortunately there are survivors still living in South Korea. They have been in court with Japan and the companies in the Japanese Supreme ; 2017. You're probably one of the deniers that CONCENTRATION CAMPS are LIES. GOD HELP YOU

[@strawberryjam3027]

Good film. It must have been very emotional for that man to go back there, the place that he grew-up... to see how it has began to crumble and fall apart like that. Quite sad. I would love to visit there some day.

[@Seattle1951]

It's odd what meandering on KZbin will bring you to see. I had never heard of this place before today. Thank you for sharing this amazing documentary, and thanks to the former resident for his thoughts and reflections. What a place to grow up! The film left me feeling very sad for all that was lost here and for all who suffered. It was brave of him to return. Thanks again for providing something of substance to reflect upon in today's superficial world.

[@Plainsofcement]

this is one of the most profoundly moving things I have seen in a while. Just incredible. I have read about hashima before but never seen it through the eyes of a previous resident. How haunting it must be to be able to revisit your childhood, frozen and untouched, yet also slowly rotting away. True poetry of real life.

[@nordanstad]

To you who share your views on the quality of the film, yes I wish it would have been better or higher. The film is made in 2002 and there was no consumer (or other) HD cameras available back then so this is old-school DV (720x576 pal). Someone mentioned it as strange that the narrator speaks Swedish and someone else commented saying there were WWII prison camps there. Well, I am Swedish and its my voice you hear, and no there were no WWII prison camps there. There were rumours of the Japanese using forced Korean prison labour there but this has not really been proved. - Thanks again for seeing the film!

[@stigtuneback1966]

intressant att du lade upp den ,jag har i och för sig aldrig hört talas om den här ön innan jag såg ditt klipp .jag tycker det är intressant med såna här videos att se ibland lite historia om saker som funnits och som synes finns kvar här och där i världen .höra historien bakom videon .

[@yovodevil]

Well, it was an interesting story. However, this is what I found while in search about Hashima island. www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/7/hashima.php which mentioning that there were draftees from the other Asian countries working a the coal mine. I believe some Asian countries won't be happy if this island becomes a part of UNESCO world heritage... Anyway, Ghost Hunters should visit this island. :)

[@kayballen5]

Denny Lee When US transcontinental railroad were building, a lot of Chinese workers also drafted from China.... British had coolies. Those were different time than now.

[@kayballen5]

Denny Lee When US transcontinental railroad were building, a lot of Chinese workers also drafted from China.... British had coolies. Those were different time than now.

[@yovodevil]

And what exactly are you trying to say?

[@stefanobc1971]

So sad, but great film.

[@nordanstad]

Thank you Stefan!!

[@otrebor7529]

amazing footage and great memories from the man who live there as kid.

[@nordanstad]

Jarman, thanks so much! You know, this was 2002 and it just sat there so perfectly upon coming home from the island and editing. I could have made some money on the film, besides being able to offer it on mobile devices, if I had gone along with the record company/music rights holder to take it away. But its impossible to replace it, as that music went along with what we felt when we did the film and was just home with all those experiences fresh in mind... In any case thanks very much!

[@dianemp6308]

This is a beautiful film, Thomas, thank you. The profound sadness of the man who grew up there is very moving. So much loss...it's the worst part of living, and who can make sense of it all? I found it especially touching that he thanked us for listening to his story.

[@jamesnesmith7756]

What a wonderful documentary. I am retired now and I love photography. What a truly beautiful place to photograph.

[@ocyrus70]

This is the best 15mins I have spent on KZbin in a long time video is great and I think were the video is of a low quality 720 only adds to the haunting images. you must be very proud of yourself and this documentary it's 1st class merry Christmas!!..

[@CesarAristocratWindmill]

An excellent documentary, sir. I've watched it several times since I've discovered it, and it never lose it's power. I only wish it was longer.

[@weebgarachu3340]

This was so perfect thank you sorry that I seen it now man this is so awesome in 2021i see it

[@wmukkplus]

Hashima has a many story so I interested and wonder about them. It's a fantastic memory of him. He's a good man who doesn't forget his root. Thanks you to share and it's make me evoke for this place. Ps, Thailand has a movie showing now "Hashima Project" it shooted here.

[@Iseizeya]

What a great little piece. Very nicely put together. Thank you for sharing this peek into such an unusual place, I found it very interesting.

[@AB-pq8jm]

It's such an eye opening film! Thanks for sharing Thomas! I always wanted to know more after knowing there's a place like this.... And I find it so amusing that the things there still looks fine! Japan's creation is really really good....

[@granthutchinson8930]

Thomas, thank you so much for this. You provide the viewer with so much more... than needed. i will enjoy this again, again, again.... and then.... share with my contacts through social media websites (various).

[@TheKasselaner]

Thank you, Thomas for posting this. The video presentation was a delight to watch and so interesting. Inserting the old pictures added a lot and I would like to see more of what life was like at that time on the island. It is hard to believe that over 5,000 people could live on a 16 acre island. I could well relate to the guy walking through his past. All those memories. I was born in Germany in 1941 and lived there until 1951. I was in my 20's the first time that I went back. And Yes, so many memories. Most good, but some bad. The bad fade away more quickly, but the memories of children are not as harsh as those of the adults. The adults had to live more in reality and deal with the problems that come with that. As children, we are shielded from much of the real pain and suffering. It was not until my parents were gone, that I began to think about what real life was for them at that time. john

[@TheSupermecho]

You are wellcome, my friend. Thank you for the knowledge and the share of personal memories.

[@Jarman74]

With the lone exception of the FMJ background music (too well-known to be appreciated as "new", but fitting nonetheless), I loved every minute of it. You both made the voice of Hashima Island heard, and in this documentary the place is finally able to tell a tiny fraction of its story through your visions and memories. You deserve the sincere thanks of every viewer for your great effort.

[@causeXeffect23]

Thanks for taking the time to respond! I didn't even think about Shazam xD It was in fact, The Cinematic Orchestra, and the track is "All That You Give"!

[@Photobyke]

A powerful and very well produced documentary. Thank you very much!

[@tuskulum1767]

At 3:16 Respect, Mr. Dotoku.

[@olgaantipina7239]

Thanks for recording the story like it is. The time will show if it is proud or shame for Japan.

[@RoyceBarber]

Thank you for sharing this lovely view into Japan's history. This is an anime fans dream come true, to see there are people who love this hidden away bits of history, and to see history up close like that. Exotic places and cultures otherwise whisked away in the sea.

[@Ynnep-Chan]

Weird as it may sound, I would have loved to live there for a time in its heydays.

[@nordanstad]

Michael, thanks for that thought. The film was made in 2002. There has been a few different cameras developing since then. What you see there in the film is not even a lens hood, it is a black paper to protect from the rain. Thanks you seeing my film Michael! Thomas

[@roywrogers2900]

Astonishing island. Thanks for sharing.

[@sahasurara]

Ahh! I would never have remembered that. Thanks for the reply. Oh and yeah, I forgot to say; excellent documentary. Keep up the good work.

[@Lochie2107]

I must go to hashima. The places history and atmosphere is so rich and devouring in this clip and i would love to film there some day.

[@bfreder]

This is such a great video but yet sad at the same time. Must be such a struggle for him to have bad memories and still have his "roots" in this place. By chance I came across this video and I am happy I did.

[@frank4all]

Tack för en mycket gripande film.. även om ön förfaller så finns den här berättelsen kvar.

[@nordanstad]

Tack så mycket Frank! Ön förfaller alltjämt men har nu räddats av ett World Heritage protection site, utmärkelse.. Så kolla in det om du vill. De har till och med en "besöksbrygga" nu runt en bit av ön, om man vill åka och titta.

[@beomcheolpark6321]

"No future for people who forget past and History"- Winston Chruchill- I agree that this document is an excellent documentary for somebody who miss and long for home, but tragic and awful for over 800 forced labors from other countries, and about 600 of South. Korean (include 122 dead) were mobilized by force of Japan to build this amazing work and be nominated as .UNESCO world Heritage..Japan even don't put the history of Hashima in their text book, most Japanese don't know about it neither.. They want to hide their embarrassment to the world. Remember this! before you see this interesting heritage of the world, see the truth first.

[@kristyhwang8899]

Beomcheol Park so true

[@jackdouglas7431]

Lmao. Quoting Churchill? You seem to have also forgotten history too my friend.

[@kaisermuto]

Korean is liar. There was elementary school and middle schoo in Gunkanjima island. People were so friendly relation each other. In 1973, suddenly the island closed for low demand of coal minning. All islanders left Gunkanjima island . Gunkanjima became ruin. Koreans need new new story.

[@shuxboyz486]

No future if u only live in the past

[@as3fawf]

I really like that film - thank you very much for sharing! It's inspiring

[@Gvlaxy]

Dear Thomas, from the small bit of researching I've done, I have found out that there was plans on making a small portion of the island safe for tourists. I'm not sure on whether or not they have opened anything, but I hope they have. It would be a great adventure to see it in person before the remaining buildings collapse. Have a great day, and thank you for replying to my comment! (:

[@skelly616]

Hauntingly beautiful

[@Cinemaboy70]

Beginning in the 1930s and until the end of the Second World War, Korean conscripted civilians and Chinese prisoners of war were forced to work under very harsh conditions and brutal treatment at the Mitsubishi facility as forced laborers under Japanese wartime mobilization policies. During this period, it is estimated that about 1,300 of those conscripted laborers died on the island due to various dangers, including underground accidents, exhaustion, and malnutrition

[@starshock01]

Thank you so much for the higher resolution video

[@alcee3208]

Steve ronin has a real good video exploring here, I love watching people go here it has a strange vibe for sure

[@nordanstad]

Thank you very very much. It is very nice to hear. There is a longer version, but KZbin will not let me write down the link here. It is on that other video site. Thanks again!

[@tantanmien]

We have a similar place in Taiwan called Jiufen where there is an abandoned gold mine left by the Japanese. Eerie but beautiful. I loved this film that you made, especially how you made melancholy something tangible.

[@nordanstad]

Manuel, thank you! Very nice to hear! Happy new year!

[@mokeimusic]

There are lots of places like this in Japan and the rest of the world,places just abandon that people owe much of their memories to.very few of them get preserved,its really good when people document the past. I hope people go out and film something of your past and post it on KZbin to share with others. It doenst have to be perfessional but anything is better than nothing.

[@tinfoilsombrero8283]

This is an excellent documentary, thought provoking on many levels. Please ignore negative comments from trolls. This little documentary is too important to miss.

[@nordanstad]

Tinfoil Sombrero Thank you very much for your kind words!! Thomas

[@2006Crusader2006]

Fantastic documentary! Really enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@twstf8905]

It has to feel SO bizarre for him being back there!

[@ssdivizion]

And SAD at the same time!

[@Hangie]

God, it's places like this that I think... if I were to close my eyes, and when I opened them I found I was there, I think i'd literally be scared to death! because I wouldn't know how the hell I'd get home. Scary stuff.

[@jazzman785]

There is another old documentary on KZbin about a man from the island that goes back to revisit his memories there. It was filmed in the 1980s or 1990s and it's great. Has anyone else seen this on KZbin? I can't seem to find it anywhere.

[@rovacab1]

Brilliant documentary - looks a great place to visit. Thanks for sharing

[@ViruZHUN]

I must visit places like this:D they are soo interesting:D

[@Exacerberus]

It's a shame that - because of copyright issues - the full documentary and the original audio aren't available: this is by far the best documentary on the Hashima island, just the fact we are able to see a former inhabitant go back to the place of his childhood and tell us his memories and feelings is very captivating.

[@nordanstad]

Hi, I made the film. Where is the audio off ? Sorry, its been a few years since we made it

[@Exacerberus]

@@nordanstad In my country (Italy) most of the documentary is without audio, here and there you can hear some dialogue or ambient sounds then seconds later it goes back to being muted.

[@julmorisson65]

Magnifique documentaire,merci,incroyable,vraiment touchant j'aimerai le voir de mes yeux un jour.

[@nordanstad]

It is music that was used in "Full Metal Jacket" by Kubrick. This is also the reason the film won´t play on mobiles and tablets. As I don´t "own" that music those limitations are there. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching my film! Thomas

[@nordanstad]

FYI Auschwitz was declared a UNESCO World heritage site already in 1979. The purpose is to preserve places "of special cultural or physical significance". Needless to say a single person can not propose a place to UNESCO. Dotokou founded a non-profit organisation to try and lobby the Japanese government to propose Hashima, among other nearby "industrial communities", but has not come very far yet. The Korean government opposes the nomination. Thanks for watching my film!!

[@torrievenus7566]

What history this island 'holds' - stranger and more sad then Alcatraz - most people don't even know about this once heavily populated place, though it's story is not too much in the past.

[@nordanstad]

Thank you so much you who left a comment! It is so greatly appreciated! Let me know if you want more information or anything at all, thanks again! Thomas

[@Muscles_McGee]

Yes Hello. Can you buy this movie on DVD? I am in North America. I have been to your website but cannot find any information for this film. Thank you!

[@sagarzeus4748]

Sir, can you please check the comments?

[@nordanstad]

Thank you! Always warms to hear!

[@ChiHoKo]

This is an interesting place. :D must visit it some time!

[@TheShailesh08]

Thanku so much.. Got to see because of you.

[@adrianspeaking]

These are more recent instructions (I think): 1) On the video page in question, in the top left, click edit info. 2) Options will appear to the right, click settings 3) In Settings, on to far right bottom corner, make sure "Make this video available on mobile phones and TV" is checked.

[@nordanstad]

Thanks for your comment! And to some of you asking: YES, it is the island Bond goes to find the crook on. Albeit rebuilt in London...

[@SLYZANY]

the island if beautiful it's a shame it's abandon i wish they turn it into a resort or tourist thing before it's to late and completely fall apart

[@Zizzily]

I like how the song "Ruins" from Full Metal Jacket is at 11:10.

[@kieranjohnson9178]

best place to stay when zombie apocalypse approach!! whose with me?? yay

[@nordanstad]

Thank you very much too!! Always very nice to hear!! Thomas

[@nordanstad]

Iselizeya! Thank you very much for your kind comment!!

[@nordanstad]

And your problem is, Mr. Jones? If you knew anything about these things, or studied the rules of youtube, you will see that there is music in this film that I do not own the rights to world wider. Thus, Mr. Jones, youtube forbids me to click on the syndication button to be "everywhere" which includes the ability to pick up the film from a mobile device. Politeness and knowledge always wins. Go do something else now.

[@nordanstad]

I think that is by Cinematic orchestra because I got a note from Universal music about it. Otherwise play it through Shazam or something like that? It´s been ten years since I made the film so I forgot. Sorry about that... Thomas

[@cryptozoo22]

Great film. Very evocative. Something so very strange about finding someone's personal belongings in a long-abandoned structure. I used to do some urban exploring and it wasn't unusual to open dresser drawers and find photos of former owners inside. I always felt like I was somehow prying into someone's personal life, and would put the pictures back where I found them.

[@TrAsH__6]

this place was epic...This makes me sad

[@StopMotion613]

Great documentory. Its sad in a way. the man looks like he really misses his days there as a kid. :(

[@olga1997sidorenko]

Удивительный фильм! Хорошо смонтирован и музыка в тему. От увиденного ощущение пустоты... Жуткое! Самое поразительное, что этот город-остров находится совсем рядом с живущими людьми... От нас до Припяти 100 км, но это тоже мертвая зона. А сколько таких заброшенных городов по миру..! Есть о чем задуматься...

[@cosimomazzotta]

the stillness of the city ... immersed in the eternal movement of the sea. High Contrast!

[@Diamonddavej]

It's called "Ruins", it's from the film Full Metal Jacket.

[@koworld]

Beautiful work. So moving.

[@Eliguitar1]

the location scouts for Skyfall did an amazing job choosing this haunting place....very cool doc!

[@Okierunner67]

My history lesson for today. Very moving and interesting. Thanks

[@dspummone]

"... made melancholy something tangible." I was struggling for this idea after watching it. The producer/director did exactly that.

[@FatherAxeKeeper]

Gunkanjima brought me here. Ive had an interest in this place for well over 10 years.

[@cosimomazzotta]

it's like ... the passage of time becomes thick as a steel block. Thanks.

[@xxskyrimrocksxx262]

This place was also used as a war prison in world war II

[@laramichaelis8080]

Thanks for the film. Definitely i must to visit the island, some day... Saludos ^^

[@popcornpopper2]

This was enlightening. Well done.

[@DonaldPugh]

Really enjoyed this movie, well done.

[@Oldgittom]

Thanks, great docu; very necessary to remember past people & communities. This is the eastern, Asian counterpart of those abandoned small towns of the American West; these had abundant space & promise, but still drowned in them. Humanity is a homeless wanderer, nowhere 'roots', only memories. Cavafy wrote a fine poem about this.

[@nordanstad]

Thanks Oldgittom! Wonderful thoughts! And I love Cavafy... which poem do you mean?

[@Oldgittom]

Thomas Nordanstad Cavafy's words - You won't find a new country, won't find another shore. This city will always pursue you. You'll walk the same streets, grow old in the same neighborhoods, turn gray in these same houses.

[@Sp4nishMan]

Thank you for uploading.

[@nordanstad]

Thank you so much!! Very kind of you! Thomas

[@treylorpark3]

I think I read this was made ten years ago. I'm just wondering what every happened to the man in the film and if he was ever able to go back? Pretty heart felt when he was looking at the pillared where his sisters height was measured. Enjoyed, thank you.

[@butovas]

I really want to go to Hashima and see it...but I wonder if it is possible...amazing video!

[@MrQbenDanny]

Bravo! Bravissimo! The past is always present for humans. I am impressed by your cinematography, subject, and attention to details. An example of how to make a documentary. Just curious, was the food imported from the mainland?

[@AvengerII]

WAs any of this footage used in the History Channel program, "Life After People?" I think that's where I first heard of Hashima... I think the Japanese gentleman in this documentary was also in the footage used in the pilot episode of that series. The series didn't last too long --- maybe a season or two.

[@roygbiv330]

1:06 why the tall buildings stand at edge of the island? its because they primary stood also as wave barrier. without the building breakwater, typhoon causes heavy flood on it(lol). it didnt match a growth of human right mind at that time later in 1960.

[@tomspeed3354]

I want to live there

[@aaron___6014]

I just discovered that the gentlemen you filmed in this video is also in a more recent video by DSLRPros. wearing the same jacket.

[@aggedane]

whoa holy crap iv just realised, that staircase at 3:46 is exactly the same one used in the first level of the game forbidden siren 2 O_O

[@eanittny]

Thomas: STUNNING! Thank you for this treasure. I must ask....Did the man in the film really leave his mother's tea cup behind? Part of me understands why he might but still....... thank you, Marjanne

[@gabryrace7292]

Thanks from Italy!