![Realizing large-scale screening of “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” (4K restored version) and “Corrida of Love” (restored version) Interview with director Arata Oshima of Nagisa Oshima Production [CINEMORE ACADEMY Vol.16]](https://cinemore.jp/images/7bd9e6ecd7d195ca5f08d081107ec195f93313a3679da957fa577b6defbf0706.jpg)
Realizing large-scale screening of “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” (4K restored version) and “Corrida of Love” (restored version) Interview with director Arata Oshima of Nagisa Oshima Production [CINEMORE ACADEMY Vol.16]
An uneven masterpiece “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence”
Q: ``Corrida of Love'' has wonderful art and cinematography, and is a very well-made movie. On the other hand, ``Sen Meri'' is a fascinating work that everyone loves, but if you ask me if it's neat as a movie...
Oshima: That's not true. I think it's a very uneven movie.
Q: So that's not the case, and I find myself watching it over and over again. It's a movie with a strange centripetal force.
Oshima: Do you get a different feeling from the work now that you're older?
Q: When I was a teenager, I mainly watched dramas about Sergeant Hara, played by Beat Takeshi, and Lawrence. However, when I watched it again on screen, I was fascinated by the relationship between Celias (David Bowie) and Yonoi (Ryuichi Sakamoto).
Oshima: I also really like Senmeri, and it moves me every time I watch it. But I don't really understand what it is that moves me so much. My usual impression is that it is difficult to put into words.
The scenes that move me vary depending on when I watch them, but the one I watched this time in particular was the scene where Celias is buried in the ground and the prisoners sing a hymn to him. I thought it was really good there. But no matter how many times I watch Sakamoto-san's acting, I still find myself wondering, "Is it okay?" (lol) His lines in English are better.
“Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” (4K restored version) ©Oshima Nagisa Productions
Q: Mr. Sakamoto seems to have had little experience in acting, but he has an amazing presence. However, that eyeshadow... I'm curious about the makeup. Have you ever asked Director Oshima about the intention behind the makeup?
Oshima: None (lol). It's really a mystery, isn't it? However, considering the current presence of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Beat Takeshi in the film industry, the casting for Senmeri was miraculous. Because Sergeant Hara was originally planned to be played by Ken Ogata, and Yonoi was planned to be played by Sakae Takita. It's a completely different movie.
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