Opening Ceremony Kicks off KIFF 2015 in Gion Kobu Kaburenjo
2015年10月15日(木) Report
The 2015 Kyoto International Film Festival formally began on October 15 in Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. Following a red carpet event in which the stars, directors and artists paraded before fans and then into the theater. Hundreds gathered in the historic hall for the opening ceremony, to celebrate the start of the four-day event.
After initial greetings, Director Sadao Nakajima took to the stage alongside Producer Kazuyoshi Okuyama and Festival Art Planner Kenya Oka.
“Launched last year, based on reflection, this year we have a new program unique to Kyoto,” said Sadao Nakajima,. “We have deep relationships with film, but what can we provide to the international community? We want to share and we want participants to enjoy this festival. We have films and art [together] and we want to think about the relationships between traditional arts and crafts, and film. We want to share this linkage. Kyoto International Film Festival, let’s go!”
Kyoto City Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa took to the stage next. “I am already impressed and moved,” he said. “More than anything we value culture and art and are proud to be the birthplace of film in Japan. We hope we can develop new artists in the years to come.”
Director Itsuji Itao dressed sharp in a white suit then joined actress Kaori Momoi, director and star of the film “Hee and She” for a stage discussion. Momoi came in from Lativa for the event. “I was in a film called Magic Kimono. It’s my second film as producer and we are still editing it, so this time I brought my documentary film, made in ten days and I made the set at my house. I didn't have the money to rent the set so we made it like a room and hospital. I have a little bit of money!
“Editing is my favorite part. I can polish and make it better and better,” added Itao.
“I go through from start to end and then I think I should go through once more and it looks totally different!” replied Momoi. “I try to film so I don't have to do much editing. We are fortunate that we can make films.”
Discussing the impact of the city of Kyoto on film in Japan, Momoi explained; “When I was young, I was terrified because in Kyoto they are all professionals! We should continue this in Kyoto, so I hope this will grow more and more and have more overseas members.”
Kyoto International Film Festival gives out two awards each year, the Shozo Makino Award, a long-standing prize which the festival took over, and the Toshiro Mifune Award, created last year.
The Shozo Makino Award was chosen by a selection committee. Founded in 1958 by to honor Shozo Makino, a Kyoto born filmmaker often regarded as the father of Japanese cinema, the award is given to filmmakers who contributed to the development of Japanese cinema.
The award was given to Teruyo Nogami, former scriptwriter of many of Akira Kurosawa’s films including, most famously “Rashomon.” She gave an acceptance speech, saying “I have received too much! For 88 years I have been blessed with fortune and I think this might be the end of my luck.”
“Thank you for selecting me,” she continued. “I’m fortunate and that’s it. If I look at previous recipients, there are these great names who have been awardees. This year it is toned down to the big names. I don’t know if all the people know about Shozo Makino. If he wasn’t here, cinema would be completely different. He fostered many actors. He had many deep insights and is such a great man. So I am honored to receive this award that bears his name.”
Son of Toshiro Mifune, Shiro Mifune, then came to the stage to announce the winner of the Toshiro Mifune Award, Tatsuya Nakadai. Now age 82, Nakadai is famous for featuring in 11 films by Masaki Kobayashi, including Harakiri, Samurai Rebellion, Kwaidan, and most famously “The Human Condition” trilogy made from 1959 to 1961. He continues to work today.
“I came to this industry when I was 18 and I’m almost 83, so almost 60 years I am working in film. I am honored to receive this, thank you. Before becoming an actor I was a big fan of Toshiro Mifune. I saw his films with Kurosawa 12 times and was able to act with Mifune, it is one memory I cherish, especially the chambara sword play. He cut me many times! But I wanted to improve so I made a small house in my garden to practice every day so I could catch up!”
