There is an ``experience'' that can only be obtained at movie theaters. "First Love" Shota Sometani Interview [Actor's Interview Vol.3]

Takashi Miike, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Sion Sono, Takashi Yamazaki, Keishi Otomo, and Kaige Chen. There is a man who is loved by famous movie directors. Actor Shota Sometani. Although he is currently 27 years old, he is a young veteran with approximately 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry.

Sometani is known for his realistic and indifferent acting, but he also uses aggressive acting that hints at madness. In recent years, the range of his roles has increased rapidly, and he was even given the role of Oda Nobunaga in the currently airing historical drama `` Kirin ga Kuru ''.

Furthermore, in his latest film, ``First Love'' (2020), in which he collaborated with director Miike of `` Legend of Evil '', he broke new ground by portraying Kase, a yakuza who tries to betray his group, with a brilliant performance. He plays the key character who stirs up the Yakuza, the police, and the Chinese mafia, and who is the driving force of the story, with great vigor.

Not only is he a talented actor who is indispensable to the Japanese film industry, he is also a cinephile who also produces independent films as a director. In this interview, we not only talked about the behind-the-scenes stories of ``First Love,'' but also asked about his memories of getting hooked on movies and his thoughts on ``movie theaters.'' Please enjoy the many episodes of Someya's love for movies.

Index

• When I was in elementary school, I longed to take a day off.
• High-tension acting brought out by director Miike's demonstration
• The fun of going to the movies is the same as going to Disneyland.

When I was in elementary school, I longed to take a day off.

Q: Mr. Someya's career in the entertainment industry spans approximately 20 years. I imagine it must have been a lot of hardship for you to continue as an actor from your childhood to this point, but did you ever lose motivation?

Someya: When I was in the upper grades of elementary school, there was a time when I thought for the first time that I wanted to take a day off. I couldn't go to events in a row and wanted to hang out with my friends...

Q: You've been active since you were 7 years old...

Someya: But I went to the audition with that in mind and passed the audition. Moreover, I was given a semi-regular role in a drama series. From then on, I no longer felt any particular urge to take a break.

Q: It's amazing that you overcame your slump during your elementary school days...! Recently, he has played the role of a yakuza in ``First Love,'' the role of Oda Nobunaga in a taiga drama, and has also experienced filming in China and Uzbekistan, giving the impression that the fields in which he can be active are expanding more and more.

Someya: I often get to take on roles that I haven't had before, so I feel a different kind of "responsibility" than before. Even in First Love Love, I didn't think I would ever get the chance to play a yakuza role in a Miike-directed film. However, I'm the type of person who can't perform well unless I'm having fun. So honestly, I'm grateful and I'm enjoying it.

High-tension acting brought out by director Miike's demonstration