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EIGA.COM: “Fly to Saitama” sequel GACKT & An emphasize that their laughter, which is “full of twists and turns”, will save the world!
The movie "Fly to Saitama: From Lake Biwa with Love" (released on November 23) is the sequel to "Fly to Saitama", which was released in 2019 and was a smash hit with box office revenue of 3.76 billion yen.
As the title suggests, ``Lake Biwa,'' the story involves the Kansai region and depicts the protagonists' struggles to address regional disparities and abolish the toll system.
In this work, GACKT, who plays Rei Asami, the leader of the Saitama Liberation Front, and An, who plays Kai Kikyo, the leader of the Shiga Liberation Front, have a more outrageous content than the first, but it is also hot. They talked about the "strength" of works that convey messages. (Interview and text: Masakazu Isobe)
■The second part is “You don’t have to do it, right?” (GACKT)
――This was the second part, which was long-awaited by fans, but how did GACKT-san feel when he received the offer? What about pressure?
GACKT: When I think about the fact that movie sequels tend to be harshly evaluated, and that the first movie was a hit because of luck, the first thing that came to mind was, ``Maybe they don't have to do it.'' ?” That means. We talked honestly. But after I decided to do it, I was worried about whether my voice would come out or not because I wasn't feeling well, rather than being under pressure.
- Ms. Anne started participating in this work. What kind of thoughts did she have when she joined the project?
An: I had previously worked with director Hideki Takeuchi on a drama (Monday 9, ``Date ~ What Kind of Love Is It?''), and I had hoped to work with him again someday, so I was very excited about this outrageous world. I was very happy that I was invited to see it. However, I'm not from Shiga Prefecture, and my character wasn't even in the original work, so I'm still unsure if people in Shiga and Kansai will accept me. I am nervous.
--The theme of this work is the hierarchy of prefectures in Kansai, but were you aware of these disparities?
GACKT: If anything, I had the impression that Kansai was stronger. I think in the past, people in Kyoto had a lot of pride, and there was an atmosphere that made it difficult for people from outside the prefecture to work there. However, I feel that over the past 30 years, much has changed, not only in Kyoto but also in Osaka. I don't think there is as much awareness of being in a specific prefecture as there used to be. Osaka really has a strong commercial spirit, and as the Chinese population increases, you will often see many Osaka people speaking Chinese in storefronts.
An: I had a strong impression that Osaka and Kyoto had something like a "prefectural character," but I'm sorry to say that I haven't really thought about their surroundings. The words "Shiga-made" and "gejigeji" appear in the lines, but to be honest, it was the first time I'd heard those words, so I searched and researched each line one by one.
――Mr. An, you also tried the Shiga dialect, how was it?
An: Rather than having any intonation, I got the impression that only the ending of the word dropped by one note. People from the Kansai region tend to have a severe Kansai dialect or intonation, so I feel like they were very careful when acting.
■The Takeuchi group, whose characters are gradually expanding on-site
――In the movie, there was a scene where GACKT-san becomes an Osaka native when he eats takoyaki. It was quite a shocking visual.
GACKT: That scene was a play with Ai-san (Ainosuke Kataoka, who plays the role of Osaka Prefectural Governor Akira Kashoji), and we, including director Takeuchi, said to each other, ``Let's do something more radical,'' and ``Let's give the picture more contrast.'' We were talking while doing this. I keep the lines and script in mind, but I'm a director who values what comes out on set, so things often happen spontaneously on the spot. The only difficult thing is that if you try to ``make people laugh'' or ``try to get a lot of attention,'' it's definitely not going to work. Director Takeuchi also said bitterly from the first film, ``Acting should be serious and serious.'' We do it seriously. The director is the one steering the ship.
――Mr. An, you also tried the Shiga dialect, how was it?
An: Rather than having any intonation, I got the impression that only the ending of the word dropped by one note. People from the Kansai region tend to have a severe Kansai dialect or intonation, so I feel like they were very careful when acting.
■The Takeuchi group, whose characters are gradually expanding on-site
――In the movie, there was a scene where GACKT-san becomes an Osaka native when he eats takoyaki. It was quite a shocking visual.
GACKT: That scene was a play with Ai-san (Ainosuke Kataoka, who plays the role of Osaka Prefectural Governor Akira Kashoji), and we, including director Takeuchi, said to each other, ``Let's do something more radical,'' and ``Let's give the picture more contrast.'' We were talking while doing this. I keep the lines and script in mind, but I'm a director who values what comes out on set, so things often happen spontaneously on the spot. The only difficult thing is that if you try to ``make people laugh'' or ``try to get a lot of attention,'' it's definitely not going to work. Director Takeuchi also said bitterly from the first film, ``Acting should be serious and serious.'' We do it seriously. The director is the one steering the ship.
An: It really feels like a conductor. If I overdo it, he gives me precise instructions like, ``Try to tone it down a bit.''
GACKT: After all, when emotions are involved, the dialogue takes a long time, right? If you do that, the tempo will feel a little off. In such cases, the director will tell you to ``make the tempo better.''
■Many of the things we encounter in the world are actually trivial.
――There are many impactful scenes one after another, and there are also social themes within them.
GACKT: This movie wasn't made with the purpose of dissing anyone. This is happening because each person has a deep love for their hometown. I think love for one's hometown doesn't mean liking everything about it, but rather understanding and appreciating everything, including the things you like and the things you don't like. Express it in a really ridiculous way. I'm more than happy to have people laugh at my nonsense. Many of the things we encounter in this world are actually trivial. Lately, people have been turning a blind eye to that and making the problem bigger. In reality, there are many stories where everyone can just laugh and say, ``That's nonsense.'' We need movies like this right now.
An: I also did a lot of research after watching the movie, and it turns out that knowing your audience is very important. Because we know each other, we become lovable and often laugh with each other. I think this is a very important work that teaches us such things.
--This work is both trivial and profound, but one of its major highlights is its brilliance. In particular, the two-shot of GACKT-san and Anzu in the movie was overwhelming, but what was it like co-starring with them?
GACKT: Before I met her, I thought that she was a very carefree person, but when I saw her behavior when she wasn't acting, I realized that she was very feminine. That's right. That's why I felt that playing a male role and speaking the Shiga dialect, which I was not used to, must have been difficult as I acted.
An: I had an image of GACKT-san as overwhelmingly beautiful, and his visuals shined just like that on set. Especially since I was watching the first movie as a guest, I was so happy when I saw Rei Asami on set and thought, ``Ah, that's Rei.''
■Bonus: Talk about a memorable scene...Please read after watching the main story
――The content is very aggressive this time as well, including parodies, but are there any scenes that left an impression on you after watching the work?
GACKT: There's already so much to get into. There's a scene where ◯◯◯◯ (editor's note: omitted for spoilers) is ○○○○ from Osaka, and it takes you out into space. The work has nothing to do with space, so what's going on? That's what I was thinking.
An: You often gave permission for ○○ as well. A parade of scenes of "Are you sure it's okay?"... I was just worried, ``Is that okay?'' (laughs) I also researched the history of the Musashino Line, and found many things that interested me. I watched the end credits with my eyes glued to it. There seemed to be a lot of people saying, ``Oh, there was someone like this in there too.''
GACKT: In such a scene, (Nikaido) Fumi-chan's performance of being poisoned by Osaka was amazing. I wonder if it's okay (lol). I asked Fumi-chan later that her image of that Osaka person was Yasushi Yokoyama. When I heard that, I thought, ``Ah, I see.'' My image of Osaka was Riki Takeuchi.
An: That scene was amazing (lol).
GACKT: Each of them played Osaka people, but I was watching them wondering who they were portraying.
--Did you have any memorable episodes from filming?
An: The most important scene on set was the scene where they were having a strategy meeting on the shores of Lake Biwa. The wind was so strong that my face was covered in sand. It was extremely difficult to maintain Rei and Kikyo's hairstyles. Moreover, the person who rushes in is Kukki (played by Haruki Omi)! At Sande. He ran over and unfolded the map, saying, ``Hey!'' The force of his movement made everyone burst out laughing.
"Fly to Saitama - From Lake Biwa with Love" will be released on November 23rd.
Source: eiga.com
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA
FASHION-PRESS.NET: Interview with GACKT, Fumi Nikaido, and An, “I thought it would be better not to do a sequel to the movie “Fly to Saitama””
Interview with GACKT, Fumi Nikaido, and Anzu, who are the main cast of the movie ``Fly to Saitama ~From Lake Biwa with Love~''. About four and a half years have passed since the release of the legendary "Saitama diss" movie "Fly to Saitama," and we spoke to him about his feelings when he received the offer for the sequel, and the behind-the-scenes stories behind filming with the star-studded cast.
The movie ``Fly to Saitama'' is the first live-action movie made in 2019, starring GACKT and Fumi Nikaido. Contrary to its shocking content, which thoroughly disparages the fictional Saitama Prefecture, the farce that etched deep love for the local area in the hearts of Saitama residents became a hot topic, sparking a ``Saitama boom'' unprecedented in history.
“Fly to Saitama ~From Lake Biwa with Love~” to be released on Thursday, November 23, 2023 (holiday) is the long-awaited sequel to “Fly to Saitama”. The stage will be expanded from Kanto to Kansai, and a ``East-West diss showdown that will divide the world'' will take place.
The previous work ``Fly to Saitama'' was a hit, and the sequel ``Fly to Saitama ~From Lake Biwa with Love~'' has been decided to be released. Please tell me honestly how you felt when you received the offer for the sequel.
GACKT: I refused once, saying, ``Let's not do a sequel.''
In the first place, even when I was working on the first film, I was worried whether I should accept the offer or not, thinking that ``Fly to Saitama'' would be a stain on my career, and that it was such a risky work. But I tried it and luckily it was a hit, so I said I didn't need to take any more risks since I had hit it once again.
Nikaido: Keep your memories beautiful. (lol)
GACKT: Yeah. Also, it is difficult to make the second work of any work interesting. It's difficult to make ``Fly to Saitama'' even more exciting with a sequel, which was already a mess from the first movie.
Was Mr. Nikaido also “against sequels”?
Nikaido: I thought it would be better not to make a sequel. (Laughs) During the filming of the first film, the director said, ``We'll continue to do this until the third film.'' He said, ``It would be great if we could do it~'' and we talked about it as adults, but I had no idea that he would actually be doing a sequel. Honestly, I was pretty nervous about the first one because I thought it was just a coincidence.
GACKT: No, that was definitely a coincidence.
Nikaido: Well, it just so happened. (lol)
“A group of gorgeous actors” gather together
What were your thoughts after actually reading the script?
Nikaido: That was really interesting. Above all, I was surprised at how gorgeous the cast members were. I wonder if it's okay not only for An, but also for Ainosuke Kataoka and Norika Fujiwara to co-star as a married couple? That's it. I felt like, "I don't know anymore!"
GACKT: It was a spectacular moment when the entire cast gathered together to read the lines. I was amazed at how such a gorgeous cast was assembled.
Certainly, the appeal of this work was the ``extraordinary cast'' that was suitable for a grand farce. Have you been influenced by other actors while filming?
GACKT: The person who made me think, ``This person is amazing...!'' was Ai-san (Ainosuke Kataoka). This was my first time meeting him, but he was very good at delivering his lines, deciding how to decide, and closing the scene. Not only her acting but also her personality is really wonderful, and when she's on a team with Ai, the whole thing comes together in a really good way. We remained friends even after filming, and we still go out for dinner about once a month.
Nikaido: This is my first time hearing it! ! Before we knew it, we had such a relationship!
GACKT: It's lovey-dovey.
Nikaido: What do you two talk about?
GACKT: A lot of things, from acting to my favorite food. What was particularly impressive to me when I heard it on set was that in Kabuki, there are only two days from memorizing the script to rehearsals to the actual performance. While working in the demanding world of Kabuki, he also shoots dramas all year round, so I thought, ``Oh, I can't compete with this person.''
New cast member Anzu plays “Oscar of Shiga”
Ms. Anne started participating in this work, but was she ever confused by the unique world view of ``Fly to Saitama''?
An: More than the confusion, I was more excited to become engrossed in the worldview of the work. In ``Fly to Saitama,'' the details that go into establishing this worldview, such as the various behind-the-scenes settings, costumes, and makeup, are extremely detailed. I personally went through many costume matching and makeup tests, and I was also managing all the extras' costumes, so I was excited and felt like I was in another world.
Kikyo Kai, played by An, is on his way back from Paris and plays the role of the leader of the Shiga Liberation Front. He had an overwhelming presence with his unique character, but what were your impressions after playing him?
An: First of all, I'm not from Shiga, so I've always been worried about whether I can represent Shiga or whether I'll be properly accepted by the people of Shiga. Honestly, I'm still a little nervous.
I also had a hard time distinguishing between the Shiga dialect and standard Japanese. The script I originally received was all in the Shiga dialect, but about 10 days before filming, it was decided that I should change to standard Japanese except when I was talking to my Shiga relatives. It was quite difficult, like adding the dialect once and then taking it out again.
The secret story of filming a "farcical scene" that is played in a serious manner
Compared to the previous work, I think that not only the area has expanded, but the character of the characters has also become more powerful. Are there any scenes or highlights that particularly left an impression on you?
Nikaido: The scene between Kikyo and Rei was so beautiful and so suspicious that it really left an impression on me. As an audience member, I fell in love with the two of them, as they seemed to reflect Maya-sensei's aesthetic world view.
An: The scene that left an impression on me is the scene where Rei becomes addicted to powdered foods after eating takoyaki and is taken in by Osaka. His face was so amazing that I couldn't help but ask, "How did you take that photo?" It was a bit shockingly interesting. (lol)
Nikaido: The “powder poisoning scene” was bound to make you laugh out loud.
Among the farcical scenes where you put your body on the line, were there any ideas that you came up with on set?
GACKT: There's a scene in which Akira Kashoji, played by Ai, gropes my breasts, but we discussed it on set and decided on it to make it "more erotic." The two men were talking seriously, saying things like, ``Let's pet him more,'' and ``I'm going to put takoyaki sauce on your face, so why don't you lick it?''
What did the director say about the farce scene?
GACKT: That being said, acting to get laughs is not required at all. So it's a strange feeling. The director's order was, ``If we try to make people laugh, the people watching will be confused, so I want the actors to act seriously, and I want them to be serious.''
So I don't know. Is it interesting?
Were there any scenes where you couldn't help but laugh even during such a serious performance?
An: Kukki! This is the scene of Mr. (lol)
Nikaido: When I was dubbing, I was like, “Kukki!” I laughed at your place. I wonder why.
An: The appearance is already interesting.
GACKT: Kukki! He also takes it seriously, but I think the more seriously he takes it, the more he's joking around. Then, the director came and said, ``Please be a little more serious.'' That was also really interesting. Even though he was established as a character in the movie, the character who was the least established on set was Kukki! I think it's Mr.
GACKT: But I think it's precisely because the characters are so strong that the strength of their drawing skills can be seen on screen. I think Director Takeuchi's ability to select people with strong drawing skills is very high.
“I have nothing but anxiety” ahead of the movie’s release
Lastly, please tell us how you feel now before the movie's release.
Nikaido: From the time I heard about the sequel until now, I have been more anxious than ever. However, even though it's been a long time since the first film was released, I still get many people saying, "I saw 'Fly to Saitama!'" and I think that's how much the film is loved. Then, I had a mysterious sense of mission that I had to do the Kansai edition properly as well. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of it after you watch it.
An: Even though I'm not a citizen of Shiga Prefecture, my role is to represent Shiga Prefecture, so I was worried about whether I would be accepted. I think we'll be able to decide whether we'll be relieved or not until we see everyone's reactions once the movie is released.
GACKT: I still have nothing but anxiety. I wonder if this movie will be a stain on my career.
Far from being a blemish, the content was such that I immediately looked forward to the next work!
GACKT: Third work? I'll stop it no matter what.
Source: fashion-press.net
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA
JISIN.JP: “He is like a father” GACKT tearfully spoke of his bond with Ken Ogata, which he reports on every year when he visits his grave.
GACKT (50) will be starring in the second movie “Fly to Saitama ~From Lake Biwa with love~”, which will be released on November 23rd, his first starring role in four years. Furthermore, his sequel autobiography ``Confession II'' will be urgently published on the 22nd for the first time in 20 years (published by Kobunsha). Based on interviews with this magazine, he has written all about his shocking second half of life.
Actor GACKT's "spiritual father" was Ken Ogata, with whom he co-starred in the taiga drama "Furin Kazan" (2007). Some excerpts from the same book have been reorganized and delivered to you.
What guided me was my encounter with Ken Ogata, who can be said to be my spiritual teacher and spiritual father. It was a big turning point in my life when Ken-san accepted the role of Sadamitsu Usami, Kenshin's tactician.
He was a really interesting guy. Every time I met him, I became more and more attracted to him.
One day, during a script reading rehearsal, the director's assistant said, ``Mr. Ogata, that line has been cut.'' Ken-san paused for a while, then replied, ``Oh, I see...'' with no expression on his face, and the scene moved on smoothly. I decided to start reading the script from scratch again. When he got to the line that Ken-san cut, he said, "Hey, director... why did you cut this short?"
The assistant interrupted without a moment's notice and said, ``It's a matter of time. Thank you in advance.'' After a moment of silence, Ken-san replies, ``Oh, I see...'' and the script reading continues. The reading begins again from the beginning. In front of Fist-san's cut line, he asked again, ``Hey, director... why did you cut this...?'' he asked, expressionless but in a strong tone.
Then, the troubled director said apologetically, ``Um, due to time constraints.'' After a long silence, he begins again, "Oh, I see..." Everyone present was nervous at this freezing hour. “Something is going to happen! ' I was the only one who was excited.
When the script reading was over and everyone was about to stand up, Ken-san spoke. ``Director... the lines are the lives of the actors. In other words, you... are you going to take away my life for the sake of time...?'' The director panics and blurts out something incoherent, "No, no, no! I won't steal it!" “This person is so funny! ', I said, holding back my laughter as his shoulders shook. No one knows how much of it is serious and how much of it is just singing and dancing.
I heard about him after he passed away, but Ken-san had undergone surgery to remove cancer just before appearing in this taiga drama. He was discharged from the hospital quite early, and he took on the challenge of filming. On many days when he wasn't feeling well, he sometimes waited three hours, sometimes four hours. In fact, even on days when he was so sick that he couldn't wake up, he would tell his manager, ``Gakkun is waiting for me.''
It's about rehearsal one day. It happened when we were reading the script for the scene in which Kenshin tries to convince Sadamitsu Usami, played by Kenshin, who was his father's archenemy, to become his military commander. Usami was originally Kenshin's father's nemesis and was the person who repeatedly blocked Kenshin's father's path. This is the scene where he goes to meet Usami himself for the first time and conveys her wish for him to be her military master. At the end of the rehearsal, I said, ``Gackt, there aren't many love scenes in Taiga, right?This exchange is like a love scene.What you just said won't move me.Until the actual performance.'' Please finish it.'' For five days from that day until the actual performance, I practiced my lines over and over again by myself, but the more I tried, the more I didn't understand them.
[Acting and not acting] [Acting is the technique of expressing it] are the words that Ken-san always told me. I couldn't understand this for a long time. As I was practicing this line, a thought suddenly crossed my mind. ``Does acting mean expressing the many emotions and feelings you've gained from your own experiences through the role, rather than just taking on the role you've been given? "and. At this time, I was already deeply in love with Ken. He thought for a while. ``Instead of conveying the [meaning] and [content] of Kenshin's lines to the other role/character, I will put my own honest feelings toward Kenshin into my character's lines and convey those feelings directly.'' decided. On the day of the actual performance, I told the director, ``I want you to start the actual production as soon as the camera rehearsal is over.'' Because you may not be able to do it many times. Ken-san also replied, ``If Gakkun says so, then let's do it.''
■Ken-san's movements stopped and his face suddenly became scary.
Several cameras were lined up behind Ken's back, and all of them were aiming at me from behind Ken's back. Fist-san only sees his back. The actual performance has begun. Kenshin's feelings for Ken-san are conveyed honestly through long lines. In the middle of the line, Ken-san's stern expression suddenly changed to a face that said, ``Wow.'' The last line is over. It has not yet been cut. Ken-san smiled at the camera and gently gave him a thumbs up, saying, ``That's good!'' ” he said with a big smile.
At that time, he gained new joy and awareness. ``I'm here just to make this person happy...'' Up until now, all my work has been for the fans. I thought his feelings were completely irrelevant and I didn't need his personal feelings. That day, he was surprised by the feeling he had for the first time. ``I'm only acting to make Ken-san happy...'' For the first time, he realized that ``doing something to make just one person happy made me so happy.'' Until then, I had lost my way in acting, but I realized that Ken's kind smile had always guided me.
He was in the middle of filming when he went to a location in Nagano. He was on his lunch break and was resting in the car. Ken-san suddenly opened his car door and said, ``Hey, Gakkun. Do you want some shiitake mushrooms?'' He was grilling shiitake mushrooms in a frying pan on the cassette stove. ``I don't eat boxed lunches. No matter what, I'll only eat food that's cooked on the spot. If I eat something convenient, I'll die early...'' he said. He sat around the frying pan and they ate together. I didn't know why he said this at that time, but he said it to Mr. Fist. ``Ken-san, if there's anything you think is wrong with my performance, please be sure to tell me...'' When I said that, Ken-san stopped moving and his face suddenly turned scary.
He keeps looking at me. There was silence for a while. Fist-san slowly put down his chopsticks and opened his mouth. "Hey, Gakkun... I've told you everything you need to do. People around you may say what you think about your performance. But... this Ken Ogata says it. You can't do it." I'm doing everything I need to do. No matter what anyone else says, I can do it." He slowly delivered the words one by one with a very stern look on his face. Then he suddenly smiled and said, ``It's okay. Daddy is with me...'' and he picked up his chopsticks and started eating the shiitake mushrooms again. Hearing those very kind words, my heart was filled with the thought, ``This person has always been protecting me...'' The emotions that had been bottled up until then overflowed like an avalanche. Before I knew it, tears were falling down my face. As he cried, he kept repeating, "Thank you..., thank you..." over and over again. For me, who had been estranged from his love, it was the first time in his life that I felt the love of another person deeply. I remember the events of this day as vividly as if they were yesterday.
Immediately after I finished filming Taiga, I decided to go to Romania to shoot a Hollywood movie. At the same time, Ken-san began filming in Hokkaido. This work will become Ken's final work. We kept in touch via LINE throughout the shoot. ``After we finish filming, let's go eat soba together in Japan,'' and ``Oh, soba. I love it,'' they said, exchanging nonsense.
Just two weeks before I was scheduled to go out to dinner with Ken, I suddenly received a call from his manager. I don't know why, but the moment I looked at my phone, I felt the news that he had passed away. When she picked up the phone and asked, ``Did he pass away?'' she said, ``He just passed away...'' she said in a voice sobbing and speechless.
Afterwards, his family made a special time for us. He made time for us to spend time together. Ken-san, who was lying in the coffin, had a calm look on his face. He looked at her face and said, ``You're such an amazing person. I'm sure you must have been in pain and suffering throughout the filming, but you were always smiling.'' It was the very peaceful final resting face of a person who had made a living singing and dancing. ``That's the kind of life I want to live,'' he honestly thought. He tried to keep smiling until the end. After saying goodbye to Ken, I greeted the bereaved family members waiting at the entrance. "Thank you very much for making time for me. Mr. Ken truly saved me. Mr. Ken was like a father to me." The moment I said that, tears suddenly started flowing out like a broken faucet. He tried to hold back, but he was crying uncontrollably. For the next two weeks, I was completely broken and couldn't do anything.
[Received from Fist.] I have to deliver that to as many people as possible] is the only reason I continue to act. The last thing Ken left behind. I don't want to stop it.
Every year, I go to his grave and report to him, ``I'm still working hard, and I'll do something like this next time.'' Maybe he just wants to let them know that he's still smiling and doing his best. However, it was because of that encounter that I was able to survive the great river. It is because he has continued acting in this way that he was able to come across ``Fly to Saitama'' and many other wonderful works. At various points in my life, key people have given me a lot of meaning and teachings for living, which is connected to everything I am today.
He learned a lot from Ogata after co-starring with Taiga.
Source: jisin.jp
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA
ORICON.CO.JP: GACKT & Fumi Nikaido "At first I was against" the director of "Fly to Saitama"'s plan to "do it all the way to 3" An also sympathizes with it.
The movie "Fly to Saitama" was released in 2019 to great acclaim and became a smash hit with box office revenue of 3.76 billion yen. The sequel, ``Fly to Saitama ~From Lake Biwa with Love~'' is finally ready for release. As with the previous work, GACKT will continue to play the main character Asami Rei, and Nikaido Fumi will continue to play Dannoura Momomi. In this work that involves the Kansai region, An plays the role of Kai Kikyo, the leader of the Shiga Liberation Front. All three of them responded to an interview and once again discussed the appeal of this work.
■GACKT and Fumi Nikaido, who strongly opposed the filming of this work
――This is the long-awaited second installment of ``Fly to Saitama.'' How did you feel when you were approached?
GACKT: I refused and said, “Let’s not do it.” Isn't that enough?
Nikaido: When director Hideki Takeuchi was filming the previous movie, he said, ``We'll do up to Part 3,'' but I thought it was a complete joke, so we just added it as a conversation, ``It would be great if we could do it.'' However, when I was actually approached, I said, ``Maybe I should stop doing it?'' (laughs)
――Even though it was a huge hit, why did GACKT-san decide not to make a sequel?
GACKT: Even with the first movie, I was like, ``Is this really okay?'' I'm glad it turned out to be a hit, but there's no need to take any more risks (lol).
--Why did Mr. Nikaido say, "You should stop"?
Nikaido: I had a strong feeling that the first movie was a hit by chance (lol).
GACKT: That was definitely a coincidence (lol). Also, historically speaking, the second film often performs poorly. Making it even more exciting is a difficult task, and since we've succeeded, wouldn't it be more beautiful to end it here? and.
-- Did you still participate?
Nikaido: The script was really interesting. Also, there are still so many people who say, "I saw Tonde Saitama." So there was a bit of a sense of mission. However, when I looked at the cast and learned that many of the cast members, including Anzu and Ainosuke Kataoka, were extremely talented, I became nervous again. I was like ``I don't know, I don't know'' (lol).
――Did An know about your feelings like that?
An: It's my first time hearing that (lol). However, I felt that it would be difficult just to imagine having to create this unconventional worldview and then take some time off to perform it again. I feel like if I were to be told, ``We're going to do a third movie,'' after it's released, I'd be like, ``Are you really going to do it?'' (lol).
- Ms. An played the role of Kai Kikyo, the leader of the Shiga Liberation Front. How did she feel when she received the offer?
An: I'm not from Shiga Prefecture, so I was worried about whether I could represent Shiga. Honestly, I'm still scared, or rather, I'm nervous until it's released and I see the reaction.
--Why did you participate in this work?
An: I had previously worked with Director Takeuchi on the monthly drama ``Date ~ What Kind of Love Is It?'' (Fuji TV), and I was hoping that we could work together again someday. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried, but I thought that if Director Takeuchi said so, I couldn't be wrong.
■GACKT and Ainosuke Kataoka are in love
--From your point of view, what do you think is more powerful than the first work?
Nikaido: The two-shot of Rei and Kikyo Kai, played by An, is so beautiful that I fall in love with it when I watch it. I was so moved that I thought the worldview of Mineo Maya, the author of the original work, came out exactly as it was. Also, although there were some people who couldn't perform this time, it was good to see that everyone hasn't forgotten. Is there really love? This is “Fly to Saitama”! I tought. Also, Ainosuke Kataoka and Norika Fujiwara co-star, and that scene was really interesting. I wonder if it was really good in this form... (lol).
GACKT: I co-starred with Ai-san (Ainosuke) in the second half of the shoot. It was my first time meeting him, but his lines were very strong, his acting was convincing, and he was good at closing the scene. Not only do I love his acting, but I also love his personality, and we get along very well even after filming. I still go there for dinner about once a month.
Nikaido: When did...!?
GACKT: It's lovey-dovey.
Nikaido: What kind of things do you two talk about?
GACKT: We talk a lot about movies and Kabuki. When I heard that Kabuki only takes two days from memorizing the script and starting rehearsals to the actual performance, I thought it was an amazing world. I thought it was amazing that he was active in such a world. Also, talk about the delicious local food. There are restaurants like this in Tokyo and delicious places like this in Fukuoka, so I think I'll go there next time.
Nikaido: Please take me too (lol).
An: I would like you to invite me too.
――Do you have any memorable scenes, Anzu?
An: The scene where Rei-sama is poisoned by a certain powder and her face changes was so impactful that I wondered how they filmed it. Moreover, I was even more surprised to hear that this scene was not originally planned. I would like you to pay attention to it.
■It's interesting because you seriously risk your life to do something stupid.
--What do you think is the reason why this work is so loved?
GACKT: The atmosphere of movie theaters in Japan and overseas is completely different. Overseas, it's easy to laugh when you want to laugh or jeer, but in Japan there is a strong sense of ``not getting in the way of other people.'' I saw the first movie in theaters several times, and the audience was laughing and clapping. After seeing that, I realized that this movie has the power to share the work with all the audience. I would be happy if this work inspired people to think, ``Movie theaters are great.''
Nikaido: I think this work depicts how things like discrimination, division, and conflict can be so ridiculous if you take a step back. I think that's why it moves people's hearts. As GACKT-san said earlier, this work is completed through the audience's laughter, so I think the biggest appeal is that the audience can connect through the screen.
An: It's funny how grown-up adults do something stupid with all their heart and soul. You're really pushing the limits. There are some expressions that may be on the verge of going out, but combined with the suspense that makes you think your foot is on the line, it really makes me laugh.
GACKT: We never act in a way that makes us laugh. The director controls everything, so we don't think of anything strange and are very serious. That's why it's so interesting. The shooting was mostly on location and everyone was exhausted, but there was no compromise. During a very serious scene, Sohei Tanikawa, the photographer, tripped while moving, but I was moved to see him still holding the camera and trying his best to take pictures. He ended up getting cut, but at that time I was like, "Damn! I'm so frustrated!"
An: It was really cool, wasn't it?
GACKT: They really put their lives on the line to take pictures. I felt the love for the work. But what you're doing is so stupid. That's the best. I'm sure everyone will be able to hear what everyone is seriously dedicating their lives to. The work place is hard and demanding, but it is full of love. I think this work definitely conveys that feeling.
Source: oricon.co.jp
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA
ORICON.CO.JP: GACKT & Fumi Nikaido talk about expression and creation Cool shots at “Soen”
GACKT and Fumi Nikaido, who are appearing in the movie ``Fly to Saitama ~From Lake Biwa with Love~'', will appear in the January issue of the magazine "Soen" (published by the Bunka Bureau), which will be released on the 28th.
The 2019 live-action movie based on the manga by Mineo Maya, ``Fly to Saitama,'' which attracted a lot of attention for its ``loving Saitama diss'' and the creation of a worldview unique to the live-action movie, will be released this fall. GACKT & Nikaido, who brilliantly translated the aesthetic world of the original into live-action, and character designer Isao Tsuge have reunited.
The three artists, who have a variety of channels of expression, will talk about their thoughts on the work and their own creations. Isao Tsuge's explanation of the little-known costumes is also a must-read.
Source: oricon.co.jp
Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team
Translation © GACKT ITALIA