Japanese Movie Interview Translations: January 2021

Sunday, January 31, 2021

Rikiya Imaizumi [2021/1-Real Sound]

I want to actively make movies with young actors who are very attractive, but not so well known. That's because those people have the shooting period completely open.

In JP commercial films, the actor's schedule is often the highest priority.

If shooting time is set acc to the schedule of an busy actor, it is not possible to select a specific story or shooting season. It's not good for movies.

In fact, there're some famous and well-known actors who have such awareness and understanding. But I still need to deal with the office.

The anonymity of actors is one of the attractions of movies.

Of cuz, famous actors are also very attractive. After knowing, it's amazing.

[FILT] Kazuya Shiraishi for "The Blood of Wolves II"

I asked the scriptwriter Ikegami Junya to make a very long script that would take more than 3 hours for a movie, and then shortened it, so the content was condensed.

filt.jp/lite/issue108/…

FILT

FILT(フィルト)とは、もっと“今”を楽しみたい25歳～34歳を対象に奇数月20日に発行しているライフスタイル提案型のフリーマガジンです。

https://filt.jp/lite/issue108/s11.html

Hioka is a little wild, so I'd like you to pay attention to the changes there. Actually, that I wanted start from the scene where Hioka put the Irezumi tattoos, but that was rejected as expected. (lol)

I'm looking forward to seeing the sequel because the number of dark characters is increasing. Thankfully, after the release of the first movie, many people said to me 'If you want to do a sequel, I want to participate.".

The shooting was completed in November 8th, 2020. There was no infection and we did the PCR test, report their temperature everyday and disinfect.

It was just going between the shooting site and the hotel everyday. As a result, I was able to concentrate on the shooting itself.

Due to corona, the producer and I rented out a store for a month and let it open from 7am to midnight with a chef. The cast and staff exclusively to go there and drink. It's "Izakaya Koro no chi". The izakaya actually produced unexpected effects.

Usually, when we go location-shoots, each department (lighting, actors) go to different restaurants to drink. But this time there is only that store, so all the staff and the cast are together. Thanks to that, the teamwork was also very good.

I drank online with Tori during lockdown in May. Tori said, "If I were the director, I would be a drunkard." (lol). At first, it's just 2 of us but Takuma Otoo joined us and said "Let's call Yakusho Koji!"; it didn't happen, but I was thrilled (lol).

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Tori Matsuzaka X Yuhane Yamazaki X Author Mikito Tsurugi - In Those Days (2021)

mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/274…

映画「あの頃。」松坂桃李とBEYOOOOONDS山﨑夢羽、劔樹人がハロプロに全てを捧げた男たちの青春作を語り合う | Mikiki

この感動は二度とない瞬間である――ハロー!プロジェクトにすべてを捧げた男たちを通じて、誰にでもある愛おしい〈あの頃〉を描いた話題の青春映画がいよいよ公開。その魅力を主演の松坂桃李らが語る!　神聖かまって...

https://mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/27462

Disclaimer: I'm not Hello!Project fan so I apologize ahead if there's any offending mistake in translation. If you find any part in this translated article useful, please feel free to post anywhere with my credits. - Umechan

This is a moment that will never happen again--

The much-talked-about coming-of-age film that depicts the lovely "those days" that everyone has through the men who devoted everything to Hello!Project is finally in theaters. The film's star, Matsuzaka Tori, and others talk about its charms!

Mikito Tsurugi, the former manager of Shinsei Kamattechan and the bassist for Arakajime Kimerareta Koibito Tachi E, has written his first novel, "Ano Koro. Danshi Ka Shimashi Monogatari" (2014). This autobiographical comic essay is about the life of a young man who suddenly became fascinated with the idols of Hello!Project idols and the otaku friends he met along the way. Based on this story, which slowly gained attention and popularity, Director Rikiya Imaizumi has now made a movie called "Ano Koro/ In Those Days" adapting this story. Here, we interviewed Tori Matsuzaka, who plays the main character Tsurugi, Yuhane Yamazaki (BEYOOOONDS), who plays Aya Matsuura, Tsurugi's favorite idol, and Mikito Tsurugi, the author, about the making of the film.

Q: It's probably well-known that Aya Matsuura is your senior in junior high school, but what did you think when you were asked to play the lead role in the movie?

Tori: My manager told me about the role before the content of the film. She said, "How about a role as an Ayaya fan?". I was in the first year of junior high school when Matsuura-san was in the third year. So, when I heard about this role, I felt a bit like I was destined to do it, and before I knew anything about the film, I said, "Let's do it!" (lol). The actual scene was also strange. I found myself wearing a t-shirt with a photo of my junior high senior on it. (lol)

Q: Aya Matsuura is played by Yuhane Yamazaki, Hello!Project's junior member.

Yuhane: I've had many fans tell me that I have a similar vibe to her. Aya Matsuura-san is a senior member of Hello!Project and we have always admired her. So, I was happy when I got the offer, but also felt a lot of pressure. I thought, "Will I be able to play the role of Matsuura-san properly?" But it's not often that I get a chance like this, so I did my best in my own way.

Q: Did you think that Yuhane looked like Ayaya, too?

Tsurugi: Yes, Yamazaki-san was my first choice to play Ayaya.

Tori: Was it a recommendation from Tsurugi-san?

Tsurugi: I recommended her, or rather, I gave them some ideas. I told them that I didn't think it'd be a good idea to choose another actress/idol for this role just because it's better to have someone with acting experience. After all, this is a story about Hello!Project, it should be done by a junior member of Hello!Project. I told the producers that there's actually someone who is very similar to Ayaya.

Tori: They really look alike. I was surprised when we were shooting.

Yuhane: Really?

Tsurugi: Matsuzaka-san shouted on set, "Oh, it's Matsuura-senpai!" (lol).

Yuhane: I didn't sing or dance in the film, so I was wondering how I could express Matsuura-san. I watched the live performance videos and tried my best to get as close to Matsuura-san as possible by looking for features like how she opens her mouth when she does MC-ing.

Tsurugi: Matsuzaka-san also gave off a great atmosphere. One of the people in the film crew was an acquaintance of mine. He contacted me as soon as the film was cranked in and said, 'Everything about Matsuzaka is Tsurugi except for his face and height' (lol).

Q: Did he look similar from your own eyes?

Tsurugi: Especially, when I see the video. A scene where Matsuzaka-san plays an instrument in the room. During the camera test, there was a moment when he was a little out of focus. I thought I was seeing myself when I was really young. You might think that it would be crazy to say that he looks like me (lol), but if you watch the movie properly, it's about me. I think everyone who knows me can feel like so (he looks similar). When I was young, I was much thinner too (lol).

Tori: I'm glad you said that. The costume was also the old clothes of Tsurugi-san especially that red jacket. It's a rare opportunity to wear an actual person's own clothes in a film, so I can switch the character mode on by wearing your clothes.

Tsurugi: I've had it for a long time. I'm glad I kept it (lol).

Tori: I'm so grateful.

Tsurugi: I know Tori Matsuzaka is a good actor and can play a variety of roles but from my point of view, I thought he would simply act himself as a Hello!Project fan rather than me; But he seemed to match my nuances with a tremendous pinpoint. I don't think I can say any complaints.

Q: Matsuzaka, what kind of impression did you get from your role in this film, when you were exposed to the reality of passionate idol fans?
Tori: During the shooting period, every day was like an off-day party (lol). It's very comfortable to spend time with people who share what you really like. When you find someone you like, it gives you the energy to live. I think you can say that about anything, not just idols. Through my role, I was able to relate to the idea that having a place where you can share the things you like makes your days more enjoyable. The word "otaku" itself is not something I would use lightly. I rather think of it as a title given to people who have mastered something.
Tsurugi: The status of "otaku" has risen a lot, though at the time, it was still very low-profile (looked down?).
Tori: Was it really hard to get people to accept you?
Tsurugi: Yes, even in the scene at the school festival in the movie (where Tsurugi and his friends perform at the festival and have a lot of fun with otaku performances), the girl who was in charge of the stage actually cried and wouldn't talk to us. I was like, "Oh, we were asked to participate in this event, but (she didn't talk)......". Nowadays, I don't think people would be so shocked if I suddenly present them with something like that.
Q: How did you feel about the atmosphere of idol fans at that time, Yamazaki? There is a scene in the film where you shake hands with fans.
Yuhane: I feel the words they said during handshakes haven't changed much. I can feel that they must be trying their best to squeeze out the words.
Tsurugi: Handshakes were much more valuable in those days. Because there weren't as many handshake events as there are now. If you wanted to shake hands with Morning Musume, you had to go to Hawaii on a fan club tour.
Tori: Right, it was normal not to be able to meet them, wasn't it?
Q: That handshake scene is very memorable.
Tori: I was so nervous. Yamazaki-san's atmosphere reminded me of Matsuura-san's, so it was a strange feeling.
Yuhane: Thank you very much!
Tori: Thank you very much, too!
Q: Did you have any difficulties in creating your role throughout the film?
Tori: I was very grateful that Tsurugi-san was there. That made me nervous, but I was very grateful. I tried to absorb as much as I could of his actions, gestures, and the way he speaks. I tried to integrate as much as I could.
Q: Did Tsurugi-san give any advice to the director?
Tsurugi: I was there because I'm the only one who could understand a lot of the details of the film. I helped the director when he had trouble making decisions.
Tori: When we had Tsurugi-san here, we feel like we can get to the point where we feel stuck. I think he talked a lot with the director behind the monitor about how the fans were cheering, how passionate they were, and how it all came together.
Tsurugi: Like how the nerds hang out (lol).
Tori: Yeah, like in front of the concert hall (lol).
Q: What was the most memorable scene for you?
Tori: The handshake scene with Matsuura-san is very memorable. We started shooting the last scene on the second day, and that was really memorable. It was the last scene with Taiga (Nakano). After we finished, Taiga and I said, "Oh no, we finished the last scene first!" and "Yes, let's work hard from here!". I think that was a good thing because it made us feel like we were ready to go for that last scene.
Tsurugi: I think that last scene will remain in the history of Japanese cinema. I was so surprised when I saw it. I thought that if I were to meet my friend on the street, I would behave like that. I can't talk too much about it because it would spoil the story, but there's a sense of distance. I was really impressed with the actors who were able to create that feeling. Even now, when I remember it, it makes my body shiver.
Q: The bond and friendship between Kozumin (Taiga Nakano) and the members of 恋愛研究会 ( Renai kenkyuukai / Love Research Group?) is a major theme that makes the work shine. The scene at Kozumin's funeral, where everyone sings "Koi-ING" together, was also very moving.
Tori: We practiced that. We sang it together while playing music in the dressing room. We sang it while waiting for the night shoot on the location bus. It was really like a junior high school club activity.
Q: It was like a junior high school club.
Tori: We were all from different generations so, that was interesting.
Yuhane: I thought the scene where everyone takes a bath together was cute and youthful (lol).
Tori: I am surprised how grown-ups could get along so well in a public bath (lol).
Tsurugi: I'm really embarrassed about all the episodes in front of Yamazaki-san. (lol)
Tori: But I really understand this feeling of fun. As we grow older, there are more things we can't do, things we had to give up. But it's fun to be able to do the same things as we did (back then) as an adult.
Tsurugi: The oldest member of Renai kenkyuukai. I think he was 36 or 37 at the time, but he's still like that. I can't believe it! But I'm sure there are people like that among the BEYOOOOONDS fans (lol).
Yuhane: (lol) But through this film, I've been able to see the old Hello!Project and the current Hello!Project. Of course, there are things that haven't changed, but there are also a lot of things that have improved, so I hope it will be a good opportunity for people to get to know us.
Tsurugi: From the original story, I wanted to make it not only nostalgic but also relevant to the present, so as Yamazaki-san said, I hope it will be relevant to the current Hello!Project fans as well. I really feel that that's what the actors and the production staff were able to achieve with this film.
Tori: I think it's really empowering to have a moment when you can be absorbed in what you love, and I think it's a source of energy. I think everyone has their own 'In Those Days'. I hope that this film will give us a chance to immerse ourselves in that time, even if just a little."
<END>

Friday, January 22, 2021

[ViVi, mina, SPRING, with-2021/3] Tori Matsuzaka

[ViVi-2021/3] Tori Matsuzaka

I think "otaku" is a title that can only be given to those who've mastered in a culture. So, pls say you like it with confidence. There's a time when I felt embarrassed and tried to hide various things, but now I'm talking about my "love for games".

Tori: I used to have the image of being an actor but I'm over 30 now and I think it's at my own risk, but I talk about it without hiding. It's been overwhelmingly popular with radio listeners since then. I think it's another deep part of me.

Q: What do you think of a woman who is otaku?

Tori: I think she's wonderful. I think anyone would like a woman who has her own interests, regardless of genre.

Q: What if she is too enthusiastic and prioritises above you?

Tori: Then, I can also be enthusiastic about my own things. I think it's a win-win for each other.

😅😅😅

[SPRING-2021/3] Tori Matsuzaka

Recommendation of his favorites

Game - Online Game.

Music - Rem (レム) by BUMP OF CHICKEN

He said it's a dark song. I attached translation.

nicovideo.jp/watch/sm270385…

jpopasia.com/bumpofchicken/…

Drama - Money Heist (La casa de papel)

[mina- 2021-3/4] Tori Matsuzaka

Q: How do you spend your off-days?

Online game. I, Okada Masaki and Ikuta Toma play online games together.

Recently, Hasegawa Shinobu (SISSONNE) has also joined. We sometimes talk about latest situation and drink while playing games.

[with-2021/3] Tori Matsuzaka

I nodded to the proposal just with the description of "Aya Matsuura's fan" as it felt destined since she was my senior in junior high. But later, I learnt that the director is Rikiya Imaizumi and the contents of the script. I have never decided a job like this before. But I found the characters have a lot of individuality and so interesting. I even thought "I'm amazing (lol)" cuz my intuition is correct.

😅😅😅

Polaroid from with-magazine.

Photographer: Seiji Mega

instagram.com/p/CKqsN6_jzPR/…

Voices in the Wind (2020)

- The last scene was shot in improvised way.

Dir. Suwa: I had no intention of deciding lines from the beginning. When the shoot started, we don't know what the situation will be 3 weeks later. I told Motola in advance, "Think about it and take notes."

Serena Motola: I wrote it on paper in advance and imagined it at the hotel, but I tried to speak the words that came out of me when I picked up the phone. As I talked, various emotions came out and I didn't want to hang up.

Suwa: Did you want to talk all the time?

Motola: Yes.

Happy Birthday Tori Matsuzaka! - The meaning of his name

I wish you succeed every goal you set.

Grow up to be an even better actor, ne?

His name 桃李 (First letter: Peach, Second letter: Prune) is actually very girly in the first glance.

The other pronunciation for peach (桃) is Momo thus, making it worse. But actually, his name is given by his father with love and care. (He found out during his China trip).

It is said that his name comes from the clause "桃李不言下自成蹊" in Chinese history book written by the famous historian Sima Qian. Meaning "Instead of showing off, Peach and Prune trees make people gather being attracted by fragrant flowers and delicious fruits"

There is also a mention that his father named him referenced to another Chinese proverb「桜梅桃李」meaning: 桜:Sakura, 梅:Ume/Plum, 桃:Peach, 李:Prune. (T/N: the four similar flower trees).

This proverb is said to be used for referring "Cherish your own personality".

<END>

The documentary to his trip to China: