GACKT’s love for the region, new movie 「packed with Okinawa’s beauty」

On the 23rd, at the 「Shima Zenbu de Ookina-sai　9th Okinawa International Movie Festival」 held in Okinawa, singer GACKT (43) attended the stage greeting for the second movie he’s starring in, 「Karanukan」(releases September), after 14 years.

GACKT acts as an internationally renowned photographer, Ooyama Hikaru. He was in Okinawa’s Yaeyama islands’s nature with the beautiful girl, Ishigaki Maumi (Kimura Suzuka, 19) having a shoot when suddenly, he was bathed in strong sunlight from the top of the waterfall and Maumi disappeared. 4 years since then, Ooyama has been searching for Maumi in Okinawa’s natural areas. And in his heart grows love for Maumi.

GACKT, who is a nativeborn Okinawan, said 「I think this is a movie that will turn out to be packed with Okinawa’s beauty. Until now, it hasn’t really been opened up, so it would be great if Okinawa’s beauty can be delivered」. The first time he acted in a movie was in 2003’s 「Moon Child」 and this is his first starring movie since then. 「Since a long time ago I’ve always wondered if there’s something that I can contribute to Okinawa. I would like to repay it with a movie that is linked to Okinawa」 he said.

Director Hamano Yasuhiro said 「This movie is focused on love. It’s the story of a popular man from the city falling in love for the first time. With an overwhelming natural setting, it depicts the overwhelming love」. Director Hamano Yasuhirois a lifestyle producer who works on both fashion and urban development. He graduated from Nihon University College of Art’s Department of Cinema but this is his first time as a movie director. 「I came out from film school, then arrived here after a very very long location hunt. Only GACKT can be the lead protagonist. I thought that he would reject me but he gave me an OK in one shot」. GACKT recalled that time, and said 「When I received the offer, I said 『please let me think about it』 but I soon thought, OK (laughs). He has a strong belief, he’s an unusual person」.

Kimura Suzuka (19) who acts as the heroine Ishigaki Maumi, won the final auditions during last year’s Okinawa International Movie Festival, beating 7,000 applicants. She was inexperienced in acting but, 「Initially, I was nervous but, GACKT-san and everyone were very friendly, and I was able to enjoy filming. When we’re not in front of the camera, they spoke with me a lot too」. GACKT easily creates the impression that he’s cool and difficult to get close to but he laughed and said 「I don’t really have any walls (against other people). It’s surprising considering that I look like that. She, too, got along well quickly. Though it might be my misinterpretation」.

Comedian Kimura Yuichi (54), who acts as the president of an advertising agency that set up office in Tokyo’s Aoyama, said 「I’ve won rock-paper-scissors against Gakkun (GACKT) once. Though there’s nothing else I can beat him in. I look dirty so I wasn’t asked to join the filming in Okinawa. But (photographer) Kanoh Tenmei-san who came to teach Gakkun on how to be a photographer went above and beyond, it was amazing」. GACKT said 「It was my second time meeting Kanoh-san but he greeted with 『Nice to meet you for the first time』. When I said 『It’s the 2nd time』, he said 『I can’t remember』 (laughs). He said 『This role is exactly what I used to be like when I was young』, so he was an intense and fiery person」and laughed.

Source: nikkansports.com

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA