The Detroit Film Theater presented Masaki Kobayashi's epic film "The Human Condition" in one session 12pm-10:30pm Nov. 9.
Originally released in three parts from 1959-61, the 587-minute "Human Condition" chronicled the adult life of Kaji (Tetsuya Nakadai) during the final days and aftermath of World War II in Manchuria.
The film played with a short break after the first episode and a longer dinner break after the second. Food and drink are prohibited from the theater, but snack wrappings could be heard throughout the film, and audience members were allowed to bring in coffee from the café.
During breaks, the audience stretched their legs and discussed aspects of this film, including its rarity and portrayal of Chinese laborers working for Japanese troops during the war.
The schedule for the event was organized by DFT curator Elliot Wilhem when he saw a chance to offer these films to the public, said Margaret Thomas, chairperson of the Friends of Detroit Film Theatre.
Thomas assumed that Nov. 9 was not a moneymaker for the DFT, but it was an event in high demand. "It was more of a service to our audience," Thomas said. "Several of our patrons had asked if it would be part of the DFT season.”
Thomas said that those who gave her feedback were moved by "Human Condition" and were happy to have had the chance to see all three parts in one sitting.
Barny Wong, one of the younger members of the audience, viewed the entire film and enjoyed it, although he thought the last part was too lengthy. He believed that the DFT should incorporate events like this one in their future itineraries.
"They're doing well what they're doing right now," Wong said. "This 10-hour marathon is unusual, but it was good experience."
Priscilla Higgins, an elderly member of the audience who was accompanied by her daughter, also sat through the entire film and found it even more gratifying, although she got tired of sitting after the first eight hours.
Higgins wished the DFT would put on this type of event again because it showcased films that deserved recognition.
"[The films] are world-shaking, as this one had several world-shaking ideas," Higgins said. "A few shorter movies would be nice, but they don't always address that many ideas.”
Thomas wanted to be able to organize similar events in the future because they catered to much of the DFT's audience.
"It would be nice to provide these kinds of opportunities to the segment of our audience who are deeply devoted film buffs," she said.
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