austraLasia #1719

The story behind Japan's 'Don Bosco'

TOKYO: 28th December 2006 -- Due to the interest being shown in the news item on Japan's efforts to provide the 'Don Bosco' film in Japanese, austraLasia considers it useful to provide some of the story behind this venture, in the hope that it will indicate some ways forward for other parts of the region, or indeed, the entire English-speaking world.
    Japan province has been working at this venture for a year.  It was just one year ago that they contacted Lux Vide and obtained the rights to do what they have eventually done with it.  It seems that the 'Paolini' have the rights for Italy, so they were part of the saga at this early stage, and the contacts were made at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2005.  Lux Vide met part of the way with costs.  We have already noted the translator, a Salesian (cf #1718) with some additional help from others, as also with help from experts, the Tsukada brothers, working full time in television production. These were the same people who had helped with production of materials on the Bible and an Introduction to Christianity by Fr Compri.  The result of working so closely with these materials over time resulted in a request for Baptism, and these same people are now active members of the Salesian Parish at Meguro (Tokyo). Mrs Tsukada became a Salesian Cooperator two years ago.
    In March the work of putting the video together began in earnest.  The Translation was completed in June and over the two months following, the text organised precisely to fit each scene.  The dubbing was done by a group of professionals in the field, over several consecutive days in October.  Other than the Tsukada family, others who worked on the video were non-Christians.  What was especially noticeable however was the effect of Don Bosco's sympathetic figure on this group.
    It took a further month to tidy up technical details and everything was ready by 15th December.  The Salesian Family were the first recipients and were profoundly moved by the experience. It now goes to Salesian schools and other settings.
    It is not appropriate in this forum to be talking of the precise costs.  They are, however, substantial.  Nevertheless, as our correspondent indicates, for all the reasons evident above, it has been worthwhile and they also believe they will most likely recoup these same costs.
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