[ICON] Sono Sion - Cinema genius charms all with his unique view of the world（2/2）

2012.09.07

I don’t like hope, I like despair

ab：What made you choose the main actors?

Sono: I wanted to use rookie actors. I purposely intended to be the antithesis of Japanese movies that want to use famous actors.　The two lead actors did not set their own limitations, and they were full of a passion and ambition that meant that they could discard any previous experiences in order to discover their possibilities.

ab：How did you instruct the two leads to act?

Sono: There are many who would never contemplate letting the actors to act as they liked – they create a mould and make them fit into it – “isn’t that acting?” some would say. I don’t agree – acting is not acting. Give them freedom to use their instincts and feelings. The two leads gradually discovered their own style with every take.

ab：Was there a change to the storyline?

Sono: I really wanted to be true to the original, but the last scene would just not fit today’s society. Actually, if there is one thing that shows that it went well, it is

the fact that I didn’t feel much impact. I think that because of this, in the last scene it shows rather than overcoming despair, it makes you feel that they give in to hope. Like someone who thinks that “love stinks”, but when they experience love they find out that it is not so bad after all, and they finally surrender to hope. I don’t like hope, I like despair so for me it was a bit hard to swallow.

Why are you so fond of despair?

Sono: I think it is easier to be prepared for despair. Rather than sing the praises of dreams and hope it is better to create a movie that drills in the reality of despair. There are plenty of movies showing people who make no effort being rewarded aren’t there? I don’t think this is very good from an educational perspective. In that respect, my movies are perhaps educational movies (lol).

ab：What kind of movies do you yourself like?

Sono: I just watch American, French and Italian movies form the 60s and 70s. Especially when I was in elementary school I watched mostly movies from the 50s and before. I memorized the names of all the staff and editors and supporting actors. I have always liked those movies that have something missing.

ab：It seems that Himizu has been well received overseas, how do you feel about that?

Sono: It is a bit of a mystery. Particularly because it was made for the Japanese audience. I didn’t think it would do well overseas.

ab： Finally, do you have anything to say to the youth of today as they take on the future?

Sono: If you forget how to fight, your life is over. The most important thing in life is to keep fighting and never give up. If you lose that it doesn’t matter how much money you have or whatever. I myself think that to fight is to be creative, and I would like you all to live your lives as such.