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Yoko Narahashi Announces New Production Based on Masayuki Imai Work

2015年10月16日(金) Report

Director Yoko Narahashi held a talk show on October 16 following the screening of her film “Winds of God.” During the discussion, Narahashi announced a new production titled “Let’s Go Back Holding Hands – Over Shangri-La,” written by the recently departed playwright Masayuki Imai.

“Winds of God” is a key representative work of Masayuki Imai, who passed away in May of this year aged just 54, and was screened at Yoshimoto Gion-Kagetsu on Friday.

The work was originally a theater piece which achieved huge success, and has played in many countries including the U.S. Director Narahashi was joined by Takeshi Nadagi for the talk.

Narahashi said, “The movie took 5 years to make. I couldn’t wait to make a movie so we performed it in the States and visited LA, New York and even the United Nations. We have a lot of memories.”

Nadagi performed in the theatre version of “The Winds of God” in 2012 following other actors such as Tomonori Jinnai and Daisuke Miyagawa. He shared his experience in the rehearsals, especially about the muscle training. He said that it was very hard, but it made sense because the story is about Suicide Squad.

Narahashi added, “Even though he passed away, his passion still remains. So I am happy that many people who want to support are around me. I feel like he is with me.”

Following the discussion, Jay Kabira and producer Eugene Nomura appeared to announce the new film “Let’s Go Back Holding Hands – Over Shangri-La,” which Imai had tried to make.

Narahashi said that the shooting had already finished and they had started to edit it, with the release confirmed as 28th May next year, the day of the 1st anniversary of Imai’s death. “In the end of the last year, I got a call and it was suggested to make this piece into a movie, and he said that he definitely want to perform in it, so I was asked to direct it.” But unfortunately Imai couldn’t perform, so the main actor became Kabira instead.

Kabira talked about his deep friendship with Imai. “I feel like Atsushi Yoshida is the first son, Masayuki Imai is the second and I am the third one. We are like a family since I was in the third grade of university. I have worked on his scripts three times.” He also explained about Imai’s character, “Imai had a big energy to live, living is all for him. In his pieces, the message was always about how to live through this life.”

The film describes the theme of “Life and Death” through a man who lost his lover. Imai’s comrade who wants to take over his passion and soul made it. “Let’s Go Back Holding Hands – Over Shangri-La” will open next year.