The challenge for 26-year-old Kaho, who faced the movie "Friendship .
What will he do when he finds out that his trusted friend is the former Juvenile A who committed a series of child murders 17 years ago? This film adaptation of the best-selling novel "Tomojin" by Gaku Yakumaru, whose shocking subject matter was a bestseller, is directed by Takahisa Zeze, who also directed "64-Rokuyon" and other films. In this film, Kaho plays Miyoko, the heroine who becomes a special person for Suzuki, the protagonist played by Eita. We interviewed Kaho about her thoughts on the film and her true feelings about her role in the film. Now 26 years old, Kaho has stepped onto various stages of film, stage, and drama, and is showing a new face as an actress one after another.
Born in Tokyo on June 30, 1991, she made her debut as an actress in 2004, and was highly acclaimed for her role as the transparent heroine in her first starring role in the 2007 film "Natural Cockatoos," for which she won the Japan Academy Award for Best New Actor as well as numerous other awards. Her major film credits include "Tokyo Shoujo", "Uta Tama", and "Hourglass" (both 2008), "Ninkyo Helper" (2012), "The Love of a Son in a Box" and "Time Scoop Hunter the Movie" (both 2013), "Umimachi diary" (15), "Pink and Gray" and "The People of Takadai Family" (both 16), "22nenme no Kokuhaku -I am the murderer", "Yochou: The Walking Invaders Movie" (both 17), "Ito-kun A to E" (18), and others.
story
Masuda (Toma Ikuta) starts working at a local factory after losing his dream of becoming a journalist, and Suzuki (Eita) starts working at the factory at the same time. Suzuki is a shadowy character who avoids interaction with those around him and is reluctant to talk about his past, but the two, who are the same age, gradually open up to each other and begin to feel a connection. However, one day, Masuda begins to suspect Suzuki of being the perpetrator of a series of child murders that took place 17 years ago.
Director Zeze has wanted to work with me for a long time.
A human suspense film about a former juvenile A who committed an unforgivable crime and the people around him. I thought this work was made possible by Takahisa Zeze, the director of "64-Rokuyon," which delves into the deep darkness and essence of human nature.
summer sailDirector Zeze was one of the directors I had wanted to work with for a long time. . First of all, his films are wonderful, and the staff and cast members who have worked with him in the past have always said that he is a great director. I was very curious as to why they fell in love with the director's work so much.
Kaho plays Miyoko, a woman who meets Suzuki, a former juvenile delinquent who committed child murder at the age of 14. She, too, has a past that she would like to erase, having been forced into pornography by her former lover.
summer sailOn the one hand, I was frankly happy to be able to participate in the Seze group, but on the other hand, I was also very worried about whether I would be able to play this role after reading the script. The role is one that cannot be separated from sexual scenes, and at first, as a woman, I was repulsed by the character of Miyoko and her way of life, not wanting to understand or sympathize with her.
Every human being has that kind of weakness.
Miyoko is frightened by the shadow of her past, but , unable to confront it or escape it, she seems to be clinging to the curse of sin.
summer sailFrom a woman's point of view, I felt like saying that Miyoko's choices, each one of which was irretrievable, were wrong. However, I realized that the reason I felt disgusted at Miyoko's choices was because I have a part of myself that is like that. I don't want to admit it to myself, but every human being has that kind of weakness. This is something that runs through the entire work, and because the role is one that questions such human nature, I was very troubled by it and gave it a lot of thought as I worked on it.
Did you have any difficulties after you entered the field?
summer sailYes, it was. However, as rumors say, there was a great deal of enthusiasm on the set. I was overwhelmed by director Zeze's passion for his work and the way he earnestly faced and fought for it. This naturally led to an atmosphere in which the staff members around me wanted to fight alongside him. I believe that I was also influenced by this atmosphere and was able to play my role.
How was it filming with Eita, who played Suzuki , the ex-boy A?
summer sailI had many scenes with Eita-san in the role, and he was just like that character on the set. Even when the camera was not rolling, he was somehow unapproachable and had a unique atmosphere just like in the movie, making it difficult to talk to him (laughs). (Laughs) But I was able to feel as if I was playing the role, and to be honest, I was grateful for that.
What are your impressions of the completed work?
summer sail. I have only seen it once, so it's hard for me to be objective about it. Of course, this film is a fiction, but I thought it was like a very real documentary, as if I could smell the oil from the factory and feel the humidity of summer. Miyoko and the other characters are all open to each other and grow closer ... but they can't stay in the same relaxed relationship. I thought it was very difficult to find the right answer to their questions. I think each viewer will see it in a different way, and it is really up to each viewer to interpret it in his or her own way.
I'm not that dexterous type of person.
Like Director Zeze, recently Kaho has been producing a series of quality films with leading Japanese directors such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Hirokazu Koreeda, and Sion Sono. Is there anything particular about the films she chooses to appear in?
summer sail. Yes, that's right. I am surprised at how many good encounters I have had in the past year or two. I don't have a particular director that I want to work with or don't want to work with, but when it comes to making decisions, I tend to go with my gut. I read a script or a proposal, and if I think it looks interesting or I want to work on it, I make a decision immediately.
Are there a lot of quick decisions?
summer sailHmmm, not really. Sometimes, as in the case of this "Friendship Sin," I am troubled, but decide to give it a try because it is a film by a director I admire.
What is the difference between when you can make a quick decision and when you can't?
summer sail. I am basically very cautious. Rather than taking on challenges in a positive way, it is very important for me to know whether I can take responsibility for the role or not. . I am not the type of person who is very dexterous. It takes me a long time to learn something, to understand it, and to move on. . But I will respond to what I feel I want to try. There is a difference between when the answer is immediate and when I have to think long and hard before I can give it a go.
Do you always want to let yourself digest once and for all before moving forward?
summer sail. maybe. For better or worse, I'm honest. If I try to do something without being convinced, maybe I can do it. But I definitely don't like doing things halfway, and it shows on my face on the set (laughs). I'm an actress, but I can't lie.
The age of 26 years old at the halfway point.
But I think it is because Kaho takes each thing seriously like that that she is needed, whether it is for a movie, a play, or a TV drama.
summer sailI started this job when I was a teenager, and since my early twenties, I have been working to broaden the scope of my acting. . It is a job in which each work I am involved in leads to the next one. Now that I am 26 years old, I am gradually beginning to feel the results of my efforts. . Of course, there are times when I feel the opposite. Huh? Of course, there are times when I feel depressed, like, "I've done all this, but why can't I do this?
At what point do you feel the weight of the accumulation?
summer sail. I think it is the experience of knowing various directors at different sites that is important. I was frustrated that I couldn't do something on the previous site, but now I can do it on the next site, and so on. "Oh, I'm growing! I am surprised.
Looking back on Kaho's career, I have the impression that she is still 26 years old, rather than 26 years old already.
summer sailI think I'm at a difficult age now. I can never play the role of a student, I am not a new employee, and I am not ready to play the role of a mother (laughs). . Still, I would like to think about what I can do now and continue to move forward. Well, but it's not something that I can plan and follow through on by myself, so even after all this time, I still think that I chose a tough job (laughs). (laughs) . But now I hope to look forward with determination, enjoying these unexpected encounters as well.
The movie "Friendship Sin
Director/Screenplay: Takahisa Zeze ("64 - Rokuyon - Part 1 / Part 2")
Based on the book "Tomojin" by Gaku Yakumaru (published by Shueisha Bunko)
Cast: Toma Ikuta, Eita, Kaho, Mitsuki Yamamoto, Yasuko Tomita, Koichi Sato
Distributor: GAGA
Copyright: (c) Takeshi Yakumaru/Shueisha (c) 2018 "Tomotsushin" Film Partners
Official site:gaga.ne.jp/yuzai/
May 25, 2018 (Friday) National Roadshow
