"Search" Director Shinzo Katayama: Film techniques that immerse you in the story without relying on words [Director's Interview Vol.175]

The movie ``Sagashisu'' is overflowing with rave reviews from many movie directors. It may be the last time a thriller movie has had such a shocking impact since David Fincher's `` Seven '' (1995) and Bong Joon-ho's `` Mother '' (2009). After watching it, I was just groaning and couldn't find any words to say. I never thought the day would come when I would be able to watch such a high-quality thriller movie again... And it's a Japanese movie...

The film was directed by Shinzo Katayama, who made his spectacular debut with the independent film `` Misaki no Sis '' (2018), which shook the industry. This film marks Katayama's long-awaited commercial debut. How did they create this overwhelmingly entertaining film? When I spoke to the director himself, I was able to get a glimpse of his thoroughly calculated film technique from every word he said.

*This article is an interview without spoilers, but if you don't want to include unnecessary information before watching the movie, we recommend reading it after watching the movie.

Index

• Script created using relay method
• Changing the time series that does not work just by matching the answers
• How to effectively use limited conditions
• Immerse yourself in the story without relying on words
• An endless desire to create

Script created using relay method

Q: The movie ``Sagashisu'' was a well-thought out and packed piece of entertainment that boasted overwhelming intensity and perfection. How long did it take to create it, from planning to completion?

Katayama: When ``Misaki no Kyodai'' was released, producer Akira Yamano approached me. That was February 2019. After that, I started working on it in February 2021, so I spent about two years writing the script.

Q: In addition to director Katayama, you co-wrote the script with Kazuhisa Kodera and Ryo Takada. How was the work divided?

Katayama: First, at the planning stage, I wrote a short plot, and based on that, Mr. Takada and producer Yamano began creating the script. The first plot I wrote included the daughter's part, so the three of us discussed how to develop it from there. I asked Mr. Takada to be the writer, and I gave him various opinions on the script that came up, and I asked him to reflect those opinions. The result was the first draft.

“Search” ©2022 “Search” Production Committee

The first draft focused on the story of a parent and child, and the idea was still a little different from the finished film. It ended up being a battle between a parent and child and a murderer. However, I didn't really feel comfortable with it, thinking, ``I don't know what to do with that.'' After that, I had other filming to do, so I put the script on hold for a while, but Mr. Yamano also pointed out that it didn't have enough impact, so I thought about it a lot, and now (it's finished). I came up with the idea for a movie about the same thing.

However, we were filming at the time, so I asked Mr. Kodera to join us, and I told him the idea and had him revise the draft. From there, we started communicating, and ended up writing about 10 drafts. After that, the final draft was completed, casting began, and I made further revisions myself, until it finally came to its current form. Therefore, the relay method may be the most appropriate way to divide the work.

Changing the time series that does not work just by matching the answers