Shinya Tsukamoto Shares Insights and First Look at Vietnam Drama ‘Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?’ Starring Rodney Hicks and Geoffrey Rush
Shinya Tsukamoto Announces English-Language Debut ‘Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?’
Japanese director Shinya Tsukamoto has revealed the first images and details of his highly anticipated English-language film, Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? The project stars Rodney Hicks and Academy Award-winning actor Geoffrey Rush.
In a notable first for Hicks, he takes on the lead role of Allen Nelson, a real-life African American Vietnam War veteran who returned home suffering from severe PTSD. The film explores Nelson’s struggles as he finds himself homeless and encounters Dr. Daniels, played by Rush, who seeks to aid his rehabilitation.
The cast also features Tatyana Ali, best known for her role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as Nelson’s wife. Newcomer Mark Merphy appears as a younger version of Allen Nelson in flashback scenes.
This cross-border production was filmed in various locations, including the U.S., Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan. It follows Tsukamoto’s previous war-themed Japanese-language films, such as Fires On The Plain (2014) and Shadow Of Fire (2023). Tsukamoto gained international attention with his cult classic Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) and competed in the Venice Film Festival with Killing in 2018.
Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People? is produced and distributed by Kino Films, a production company known for its successful releases, including the Oscar-nominated drama Conclave, which grossed $7.87 million in its international box office run. Kino Films is also preparing to launch the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic this June.
In reflecting on the adaptation process, Tsukamoto stated, "When I was adapting Fires of the Plain for the screen, I read a wide range of materials and books, but the most terrifying work of nonfiction I encountered was ‘Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?’”
He elaborated on the film’s subject matter, emphasizing the heaviness of Nelson’s experiences during the Vietnam War and the profound impact they had on his life afterward. Nelson, who joined the Marine Corps at 18 to escape poverty and discrimination, faced horrific realities during his service in Vietnam.
After returning home at 23, he battled severe PTSD and homelessness until he met Dr. Daniels. Nelson dedicated much of his life to speaking about the human costs of war, emphasizing its futility, and forged a deep connection with Japan, where he lectured extensively.
Tsukamoto expressed the challenges he faced in bringing Nelson’s story to the screen. "When I imagined what this would be like as a film, it struck me as something the world desperately needs right now: an understanding of what war is and how it changes people," he said.
He acknowledged the internal conflict he faced during the creation process, noting it took seven years to complete the project amid global unrest. The film’s announcement coincides with National Vietnam War Veterans Day in the U.S. on March 29.
Below are more first images from Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?
