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]

Documentary nature of Nagisa Oshima's works

Q: Director Oshima has also made TV documentaries such as ``The Forgotten Imperial Army.''

Oshima: Speaking of my generation, I really respected the work of Noriaki Tsuchimoto and Shinsuke Ogawa. He said, ``When it comes to documentaries, it's important to have a strong interest in the subject matter and to maintain that interest for a long time.'' Many of the documentaries that my father shot were for short periods of time. I think that phrase was referring to the work of Mr. Tsuchimoto and Mr. Ogawa.

That's why I feel like I've finally been able to do that with ``Why Can't You Become Prime Minister?'' which took me 17 years to research.

Q: The world of Director Oshima's work has a documentary-like feel to it. I guess you could call it a ``disturbing'' feeling, where you're nervous about what's going to happen next.

Oshima: Even though it has been created, you may be wondering what will happen to it after this.

I think my father was a writer before he was a filmmaker. Mr. Kurosawa and Mr. Ozu are, after all, filmmakers. However, my father is not a painter, and I get the feeling that he is not a ``real source of film.'' Maybe that's why the movie ends up with such a different feel.

“Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence” (4K restored version) ©Oshima Nagisa Productions

Q: I think Director Oshima had a completely different stance from those of the so-called ``film directors.'' For example, I feel like they were created from a different perspective, rather than thinking, ``That's not the way to act,'' or persevering on set.

Oshima: I think so. When I think of ``Sen Meri,'' I find myself thinking, ``I can't believe such a strange play would be approved.'' If it was directed by Akira Kurosawa, he would never give the OK, right? and. There are so many things like that.

For example, Akira Kurosawa or Stanley Kubrick are directors who want to get as close as possible to their own image or idea of ​​the world, but Nagisa Oshima is not that type of director.

The main trunk of the work is solid, but I leave the branches and leaves to their own course. You could call it the suddenness of the moment, the documentary quality, but I try to incorporate that and enjoy it. I feel like that was the case.

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Reserve “Corrida of Love Restoration Edition” now ↓

Arata Oshima (documentary director)

Born in 1969 in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture. After The Graduate from Waseda University in 1995, he joined Fuji Television. He is the director of documentary programs such as ``NONFIX'' and ``The Nonfiction.'' After leaving Fuji Television in 1999, he became a freelancer. Many TV programs including MBS's ``Jonetsu Tairiku'' and NHK's ``Extracurricular Lessons Welcome Senpai''.

In 2007, he directed the documentary film ``Theatrical Karajuro and the Record of the Karagumi Gekidan''. In 2009, established the video production company Netsugen. In 2016, he directed the movie ``The Creature Named Sion Sono''. For the work I produced, I said, ``I'm a blur, so thank you very much.'' ” (2018/Agency for Cultural Affairs Film Award, Cultural/Documentary Film Award), etc. His latest directorial work "Why Can't You Be Prime Minister?" (2020) was ranked 1st in the 94th Kinema Junpo Best Ten Cultural Films.

Interview and text: Tetsuya Inagaki

TV director. My personal goal is to realize a documentary project that depicts the obsessions of manga and movie creators. Programs he has directed in the past include ``The Godfather : The Man Who Revolutionized Manga'' (WOWOW), ``Takeshi's Birth: Master and Asakusa'' (NHK), ``Master and Disciple Story: The Encounter That Changed My Life'' [Masahiro Tanaka x Katsuya Nomura ] (NHK BS Premium).

“Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence 4K restored version”

Currently being released at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, Shinjuku Musashinokan, and other locations nationwide

©Oshima Nagisa Productions

"Corrida of Love Restoration Edition"

Currently being released at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, Shinjuku Musashinokan, and other locations nationwide

©Oshima Nagisa Productions