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Japan's 'Fake Beethoven' to star in documentary

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We've all go reasons to lie, cheat and manipulate...but most of us don't act on those impulses...

Yet a documentary is being made about this joker. Does this mean he's better than we are because we show restraint?

Why reward such blatant dishonesty with a documentary?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

If the documentary is made honestly, rather than as a means for Samuragochi to "rehabilitate his shattered image," then I think this could potentially make for a fascinating documentary.

I particularly hope the documentary delves into why the public and the media was so easily, and eagerly, deceived.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

What an utter idiot.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I particularly hope the documentary delves into why the public and the media was so easily, and eagerly, deceived.

Why wouldn't they be? Should everyone be suspected of lying all the time until they prove otherwise? And should they have to show that proof somehow? There was no reason to think he would be lying - he put out the music and said he created it, did interviews on the matter, and discussed it. It was an interesting story, presented as truth, so the public accepted it as such. Nothing wrong with that whatsoever.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Now the one-time musical hero is looking to rehabilitate his shattered image by playing himself in a documentary-style film due for release next year...

So, a fake musical hero to star in a fake documentary? It's either a documentary, a film, or a mockumentary, you can't call a true documentary a documentary-style film, it's one or the other or it can't be taken seriously.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why doesn't the J-media just let this fraudster go away? Enough with giving this liar attention.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I particularly hope the documentary delves into why the public and the media was so easily, and eagerly, deceived.

I agree with Strangerland. Why would they not be? The real question is why Niigaki took so long to come out. The documentary should focus on him, not this fraud.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Not really a "Fake Beethoven" but a Japanese Milli Vanilli.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Attention seeking little boy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Samuragochi's press conference last year was awesome.

It was one of 2014's most memorable news items, alongside Hyogo's Nonomiya's infamous "cry baby" press conference.

I for one will welcome further laughs thanks to Samuragochi, he is good for that much you have to admit!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He needs to grow hair long again plus beard! Looked way cooler!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

But Samuragochi was forced to come clean last year after his ghostwriter emerged from the shadows to claim the mock maestro did not suffer from hearing loss—and couldn’t even write sheet music. - I take issue with this bit. What's the point of a ghostwriter? Yes Samuragochi did his bit. But there is a certain integrity to ghostwriting yes? Haven't there been other ghost writers for other noteworthy composers. In my, opinion, a great dishonesty has been done by all parties concerned, and yes this includes the ghostwriter himself, whose true motives must be questioned, because he knew the reprecussions that would take place before anyone could have.

This documentary though, this may be the one right thing out of it all.

And much apologies must go to the strong people of Tohoku, who might have used the music as a source of inspiration. Much love.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

He should have never come clean in the first place and just keep doing his composer scheme. He had a cool image about him back then and did some things that impressed me (in particular related to Tohoku). Now look what has become of him! He looks like a ****, he has a totally bad image about him, people feel deceived and cheated. Sometimes it's better to continue with something that doesn't seem right than to go down that badly.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Why are most people surprised? No doubt this fake will end up being thrown into the production line of talentless talents that this country constantly churns out, to appear on an array of brain numbing variety shows.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Strangerland: "It was an interesting story, presented as truth, so the public accepted it as such. Nothing wrong with that whatsoever."

That's putting it mildly. What they 'accepted' was the overblown image of the guy -- something Japan's media is very guilty of (playing things up too quickly and too extremely) -- and in fact were so utterly eager to pat themselves on the back over this 'Beethoven from Japan' that they paid an arm and a leg for his tickets, books, CDs, and so on. Why do you think they were so utterly embarrassed when the truth was revealed, JUST after making the huge deal about him touring the devastation and inspiring people after the disasters 2011? If they had not blown it up to be so much more than an 'interesting guy', they would have had no reason to be ashamed.

Anyway, you have to question his appearance in such a documentary, since his stated reason for appearing is to 'rehabilitate his career'. The guy should be in prison for fraud, and yet like many celebrities in Japan who LITERALLY commit crimes, he's going to recover (to an extent, anyway... he did a whole lot more than the usual drug abusers and tax cheats, or celebs that leave the hookers to die in their rooms) and even profit.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

in fact were so utterly eager to pat themselves on the back over this 'Beethoven from Japan' that they paid an arm and a leg for his tickets, books, CDs, and so on.

Of course they did - there had been no one like him since Beethoven. Why wouldn't they be happy to have someone like that from their country? It's only natural, and anyone from any country would be proud to have someone like that from their country.

Why do you think they were so utterly embarrassed when the truth was revealed

I don't think there was embarrassment so much as anger at having been cheated. There is nothing to be embarrassed about, unless you feel that it's ok to blame the victim for the crime.

If they had not blown it up to be so much more than an 'interesting guy', they would have had no reason to be ashamed.

There is nothing to be ashamed about - he conned the people. That's not the fault of the people, that's the fault of the con artist. And as for blowing it up to be more than an interesting guy - a deaf composer that makes beautiful music? That's something to be blown up. It's only natural, and it would happen anywhere in the world that such a person became famous.

I have my complaints about Japan, but you seem to have a chip on your shoulder about them being proud of anything and everything, all the time, forever. Sorry, but that's not a good balance, that's extremism.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I vividly remember watching the scandalous press conference on TV each and every day last year.

It should be noted that after the infamous press conferences, Samuragochi was gradually losing ground, while ghostwriter, Takashi Niigaki has been in great demand by Japanese TV programs including a cockroach commercial which trades on Niigaki's dark impression.

The chances are that Samuragochi will take advantage of starring in this documentary film to win popularity. And moreover, he may want to get a chance to appear in a commercial or two and make much of an income.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Since the name is synonymous of Fake, I will refer to anything fake as a samuragochi brand. China is starting to make Samuragochi smart watches.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

but who was neither deaf nor especially musical

I loved this line.

I have no idea how he thought he'd get away with it. It was bound to come out!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Next up will be a documentary on Ryutaro Nonomura.... the Real Story behind his cries.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Well if it makes money, I hope he is not getting paid.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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