The current issue of Brutus is a winner. The cover story, entitled "Cool Japan!?", dissects facets of Japanese coolness found in other cultures, including a ninja restaurant in NYC. There is also an inserted book entitled "Who is Ôtomo Katsuhiro?" (you know, the man behind Akira, see Midnight Eye's recent interview), with everything you need to know about his work, accompanied by a new manga. The Director (trace back) also makes an appearance in the issue. More news later. There's also a short interview with director Tsukamoto Shinya (塚本晋也監督), which I've translated below. It concerns his now-playing stage version of author Banana Yoshimoto's Kanashii Yokan (『哀しい予感』), which includes cast members Ichikawa Mikako (市川美日子) and one of my favourite actors, Kase Ryô (加瀬亮). Tsukamoto's latest film is Nightmare Detective -- look for it on my Best of 2006 list on Midnight Eye's upcoming annual feature.
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With Tsukamoto Shinya's upcoming Nightmare Detective marking his 10th feature film as well a return to the theater after 20 years with the first adaptation of Banana Yoshimoto's novel Kanashii Yokan, the imaginative world of Tsukamoto Shinya is set to take over Japan in the New Year. BRUTUS (B): Today I'd like to ask you about the differences between stage and screen.
TSUKAMOTO (T): To be honest, I never thought I'd direct a stage play I wasn't appearing in. If I don't appear in my own films that's okay, but if it's for stage I thought I should be up there! (laughs).
B: Is being a stage actor fun?
T: It is. When I was young and acting in plays, I felt I could burn all my energy on that one thing. But looking back on my acting now, I break into cold sweats (laughs). Even when I see other people's plays, it's always the actors I focus on.
B: As Tsukamoto Shinya the actor, is acting in your own work and that of other people's different?
T: Whether it's for a film or theater director, I basically try to become part of the piece. In that way, it's the same. It's sort of an active-passive role. In my way, I think about the role a lot but if something completely opposite is called for, I'm happy to try to accommodate.
B: As Tsukamoto Shinya the director do you want to work with that kind of actor?
T: Very much so.
B: So, with a film it's the director who should have the most fun?
T: If a director isn't able to freely enjoy making a film, they can't create a distinctive work. If they enjoy it, they can get the best out of the crew and actors' talents. On a film set, actors are coddled, but in the editing room it's whatever works best for the film that takes priority. In theater, all of the "editing" has to be finished in rehearsals so you don't have the same kind of coddling.
B: I see. Can you give us a few words about both Nightmare Detective and Kanashii Yokan?
T: With Kanashii Yokan, I want to get to the essence of Banana's work rather than my own. It's an important novel for me, and I've got a great cast and crew so please come and enjoy it. Nightmare Detective seems like all-out horror, but don't worry. It's more like being on a roller-coaster and remembering things you forgot. Just sit back and enjoy it! (laughs).
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Yoshimoto Banana blog entry about the collaboration (English).
Why not pick up Tom Mes' excellent book on Tsukamoto, Iron Man?
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