L/R15 “Nano Ai” “The cat ran away” Hideo Josada × Rikiya Imaizumi The fun of changing the script I wrote [Director's Interview Vol.195]

The script motivated everyone.

Q: How did this project start in the first place?

Jyojo: Naoi from SPOTTED PRODUCTIONS asked me if I wanted to exchange scripts with Imaizumi. However, there was such a huge difference in popularity between me and the popular Imaizumi that I said "No, no, no" and didn't take it seriously (laughs). After that, Imaizumi said "I want to do it," so I straightened up and accepted the offer (laughs).

Imaizumi: At first, there was a strong feeling of "Let's shoot it quickly," but once each of our scripts were completed, the producers' attitude changed and they said, "Huh? This is interesting. Let's do it properly."

Jyojo: That's right. It was a project like "I'll do it quickly, so you can write whatever you like." It wasn't a proper project where Koji Seto would appear (laughs).

Imaizumi: Once the script was completed, everyone's motivation steadily increased (laughs).

“It’s Love” ©2021 “It’s Love” Film Partners

Q: In " On the Town " (21), there is a character named "Josada Iha" who has the same name as Director Josada. Have the two of you been friends for a long time?

Imaizumi: We did that without getting any permission (laughs).

Joji: We weren't close enough to each other to easily ask for permission. Well, it wasn't particularly bad, but we didn't have much contact.

Imaizumi: We didn't go out drinking together or anything, but our children went to the same nursery school.

Joji: Yes. We were in the same kindergarten. I remember meeting him at some event and having a few drinks together.

Imaizumi: I think the first time I said hello to Jyojo-san was when I went to see his special screening at Polepole Higashi Nakano. After that, he asked me for permission to use my film in a film that appears in another film that Jyojo-san was shooting... On the other hand, I didn't ask permission for "On the Street" (bitter laugh).

Joji: No, I didn't have to ask permission (for my last name) (laughs). I was actually happy that they used it. Without my knowledge, everyone was going "Joji Iha," "Joji Iha," and I was like, "What is this!?"

Q: When you search for "Josada," "Hideo" and "Iha" come up as predictive text.

Imaizumi: That's right.

Josa: No, no, no, Iha has more hits on Twitter and things like that (laughs).

Did you write it with the director in mind?