"Midnight Swan" Director Eiji Uchida I want to give back to the movie that saved me [Director's Interview Vol.79]

The movie ``Midnight Swan'' received rave reviews from all over the world. In addition to Tsuyoshi Kusanagi's amazing performance as a transgender, the presence of Kisaki Hattori, a newcomer with no acting experience, who plays the opposite role is also overwhelming. Above all, it's a very entertaining movie, and you're sure to feel satisfied after watching it. This film is an original work by director Eiji Uchida, who also wrote the screenplay. How did director Uchida create this masterpiece in the Japanese film industry, where it is said to be difficult to create original works? I spoke to him directly.

Index

• Why it's an original work
• To get many people to watch it
• Different performances for Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Kisaki Hattori
• impressive characters
• I want to give something back to movies.

Why it's an original work

Q: The quality of ``Midnight Swan'' was extremely high, and the director's spirit was clearly visible on the screen. How do you feel now that the movie is finished?

Uchida: To be honest, I have a lot of concerns about this coronavirus pandemic. Actually, there were some scenes that were scheduled to be filmed overseas, but due to the coronavirus, we were unable to go on location and filming was stopped for 4-5 months.

It's a movie that doesn't seem to attract many people (lol), but I made it because I wanted the world to be a little more diverse, so I'd like as many people as possible to see it.

Q: This is a major production starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi that will be shown at cinemas across the country. Compared to Uchida's previous works, the scale of screening will be considerably wider.

Uchida: When it comes to movies with content like this, actors who are active in the so-called indie scene tend to star, but I think it's really new that Tsuyoshi Kusanagi has done that this time.

I think there are situations overseas where Hollywood stars support independent teams, and I think this trend is similar to that. I myself am aiming for a fusion of indie and major, and this time I put a lot of effort into shooting it as my first film.

In Japan, there are two extremes: indie and major, and there is nothing in between. I hope more and more movies will be made in Japan that are somewhere between indie and major, like A24 in America.

Q: I think the closer you get to a major, the harder it is to pass an original project. When I look back at Director Uchida's works, I get the impression that there are relatively many original works, including this one. Please tell me why you are so particular about originality, and what is the secret to making it a reality.

Uchida: I had no experience as an assistant director, but I worked as a magazine writer for Weekly Playboy for 11 years. Basically, I like writing. I also worked as a screenwriter for two years, and rather than making independent films, I was mostly writing stories. Because of this trend, we place great importance on two things when producing a movie: script and casting. In that sense, I want to value my own original story.

Also, when it comes to planning, people who write the original work are very strong. First of all, I won't be dropped from the project (lol).

Q: I see.

Uchida: This is extremely important in Japan. When it comes to something written by someone else, if you go at it a little bit against the producer, you're likely to get fired (lol). The basics are my own original work, and it's great to be able to face the project properly.

Of course, the original works are interesting, and there are many original works that I love, but I feel a little frustrated when I realize that I'm not the one writing these interesting stories. If the original work is a manga, there are even cuts. This is really frustrating.

Also, when considering overseas film festivals, I realized that it would be very difficult for a film to be accepted only in Japan. When it comes to stories that are original and have some overseas scope in mind, you need to write them yourself.

I'll be doing a new movie next year, and it'll be an original as well. But if I keep saying that I'm original, I won't get any work, so I'll also do original work! I'll say it right here (lol).

To get many people to watch it