Thursday, September 3, 2020

Nakamura Tomoya, Dir. Shiraishi Kazuya, Yakusho Koji, Matsuzaka Tori for The Blood of Wolves/Korou no Chi (2018)

(Cmt) Nakamura Tomoya by Dir. Shiraishi Kazuya


Q: There are quite a few characters that are fleshed out from original. A typical example would be Nagakawa Kyoji played by Nakamura Tomoya. Is it a role that was fleshed out by Nakamura?


Dir Shiraishi: It may be. After all, Nakamura Tomoya is a good actor. When Tomoya took the offer he may have tried adding a scene or two to act shabbily, or maybe he increased the tension on site.


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Q: Nakamura's is a character that he hasn't shown so far.


Dir Shiraishi:  He has a baby face. The person himself said, "Can I play yakuza with this face?", but from now on, I think this character/his face will become an asset and will become an even better actor.


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Q: Why did you choose Nakamura for that role at first? To bring out a new aspect of him?


Shiraishi: He's been working a lot and knows his potential. I didn't think it was much difficult for him. I know Tomoya is multitalented player, so I just said "I think you can do it normally."


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Yakusho Koji 


Q: Items that helped you to create the character Ogami?


Yakusho Koji: Kure-dialect, a lighter and cigarette. I quit smoking, but I smoked cuz it is essential for this movie. I was afraid I'd be back to smoker again, but it was ok.


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Yakusho Koji: I haven't seen this type of movie in a long time... I thought "Even I hadn't got to play yet". When I first met the director, he said, "I want to make a vigorous Japanese movie," so I definitely wanted to participate.


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Yakusho Koji: There are times when they were making hot and intense movies, so I feel that Japanese movies at that time were rich. It wasn't rich in terms of budget, but I feel that there were more variety of works by different directors in the old days.  Nowadays, many works are made with the perspective of being a hit, and adapted from an established original. I think that there was a time of movies in the past. I think that in order to regain it, the industry must do its best to make the originals.


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Q: Shiraishi is a director who makes a lot of homages, and he also admitted. Were there any memorable direction in The Blood of Wolves?


Yakusho Koji: It's the scene of spitting. There were about 3 scenes. He said “Please do it!” (lol). I thought "Huh?" It was an homage to the director Wakamatsu Koji, his teacher (Go, Go Second Time Virgin, 1969). It was the first time in my life to spit (producing and showing the sound) on screen. The number of such directors has decreased.


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(Cmt.) Director Shiraishi Kazuya about Matsuzaka Tori


Dir. Shiraishi: I was really impressed by Tori's performance, how Hioka change in the process of becoming aware of various things slowly from first half to second half. Tori is different from ordinary actors. Usually, I would have noticed the varying expressions on the spot while shooting different cuts. But with Tori, I only realized the gradual change when editing or watching previews. I think he's smart.


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Dir. Shiraishi: When we first talked about Hioka with Tori, we both looked up at each other and said, "It's a good role" (lol). I can't play but I feel envious.


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Dir. Shiraishi: Matsuzaka Tori is like a classic movie actor. He has such an unsolicited atmosphere and I like that feeling. When he turns 50 or 60, I think he will be an actor with a status like Yakusho Koji.


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Matsuzaka Tori: Can you stop making fun of me everytime I have to do a bed scene?


Dir. Shiraishi: No actor is as good as Tori in removing clothes (lol)


Tori: Yes! 



Tori: Shiraishi really treated me like his toy. There were days I had to shoot till the next morning. 


Dir. Shiraishi: About 300 ppl were waiting for Tori to come out. But he had to shoot till morning so only 2 ppl left. You should have hugged them.


Q: Did you?


Tori: No!


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(Cmt.) Yakusho Koji about Matsuzaka Tori


Yakusho Koji: When I saw the eyes of Hioka (Tori), there was something more than words. His eyes are talkative after all. The expression “the eyes speak” is true. Eyes are very important for acting.


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Matsuzaka Tori: What is your goal/ ambition?


Yakusho Koji: I just want to be better as an actor. I really want to be better. I think you are the same. There are times when I regret why I couldn't do that after getting an OK.  Even if the actor plays well, the director must cut it off well, which is why I want to meet good directors in the future as well.


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