“Children of the Sun” director Hiroshi Kurosaki pursues “the dynamic of life” in a fictional world [Director’s Interview Vol.130]

The decision not to set a goal brought out the actors' true play.

Q: I guess it's because of the human figures you just mentioned that real people stand up. What I am concerned about is how to bring out the ``feeling of life'' from the actors.

Kurosaki: For example, in the laboratory scene, we had really great actors like Yagira-kun, Masaki Miura, Shohei Uno, Hiroyuki Onoe, Daichi Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Hayama, and Eita Okuno. Until you try it, you won't know what kind of chemical changes will occur when they play "Yoi, Don" at each other. So I stopped saying, ``Let's do a play to get here.''

Everyone had a thorough understanding of their respective roles, traveled all the way to Hiroshima themselves, and prepared extremely well. Then, the moment they gather together and start the play, things start flowing in unexpected directions. I think that's what a theatrical session is all about: getting violent and coming together as one. Don't just score goals, live in the moment. It was extremely thrilling.

“Child of the Sun” ©2021 ELEVEN ARTS STUDIOS / “Child of the Sun” Film Partners

Q: It's true that when you look at your works, there are many scenes where you look at them from a bird's-eye view rather than focusing on one person. I believe that we were able to accomplish this because each of us was ``alive.'' When taking this approach, did you improvise the flow lines and camera work?

Kurosaki: For the time being, I cut the storyboard. Although I told the actors in advance, ``The camera will generally move like this,'' I didn't really tell the actors, ``Please move like this.'' However, the result turns out to be as intended. I think a big reason for that was that as we progressed, the acting club sensed that this is what we were thinking. It's like we're showing each other little by little, and we're making it work.

Also, there are a lot of times when I come up with random ideas and do something crazy (lol). For example, there's a scene where Osamu writes a calculation formula on glass, and everyone says, "Don't you know that? I'll write it for you," and keeps adding formulas. I came up with the idea while watching everyone there.

When I told the acting club about this, everyone said it was interesting, but they also said, ``Are you serious?'' because you have to memorize mathematical formulas... (laughs) Everyone memorized it on the spot and we filmed it, and those on-site sessions were fun.

“Living” skin color created with a colorist