"My Small Land" Director Ema Kawawada x Rina Arashi Indifference that makes someone's difficult situation [Director's Interview Vol.203]

High school girl Sarya is a Kurd living in Japan. For some reason, they lose their residence status, and the Sarja family's normal life is gradually taken away... For Ema Kawawada, who directed the movie ``My Small Land,'' and Rina Arashi, who stars in the movie, this is both the director's first work and the first starring role. This work, which is both fresh and complete for the first time, sharply reflects today's Japan from the unique perspective of two people who have roots outside of Japan. Its content was highly acclaimed overseas, and it won a Special Mention at the Berlin International Film Festival/Amnesty International Film Awards. What thoughts did the two of you put into this work? I spoke to him.

Index

• First work on screen
• “You and I are different.”
• Indifference that creates a difficult situation for someone
• Why it's not a documentary

First work on screen

Q: This is the first directorial work and the first lead role for both of you. What did you think of the completed movie?

Kawawada: I was really moved by the fact that the first work I created was shown on screen and so many people were watching it. There was a scene where I shed tears while directing it, but when I watched that scene again, I cried all over again. During the end credits, I was reminded of all the people who have been involved so far, and something touched my heart.

Arashi: I had never experienced seeing my face reflected on such a big screen, so I was embarrassed at first (lol). However, for some reason, from halfway through, I felt like I was watching the life of someone different than myself, and I naturally fell in love with the story. Even though I thought I knew the content, I was surprised that my impression was different. I was moved by both the story of the movie and the fact that it had taken shape after filming, and I felt really happy.

“My Small Land” ©2022 “My Small Land” Production Committee

Q: What did the director tell you about having Arashi play the character Tharya?

Kawawada: Sarya, like Rina (Arashi), is a high school girl who has roots outside of Japan but grew up in Japan. Even if the situation is different, he is a high school student just like me. At the beginning, I told them that I wanted them to be aware of this common denominator. On top of that, it was important for them to learn about the lives of Kurdish people. By actually meeting Kurdish high school students and hearing about their upbringings, and visiting their homes and having meals with them, I was able to deepen my understanding by spending time with them.

Q: Mr. Arashi, you said that this was your first time acting in a serious way, but what was the experience of becoming Tharya like?

Arashi: At first, there were some parts where I couldn't understand Tharya's feelings, but as we continued filming while consulting with the director, I was able to understand Tharya more and more. I was acting while incorporating my own experiences and emotions, and there was a time when I was so involved that I thought I was really Thalja. I was acting in such a state, so the scene at the immigration bureau was sad as if it were my own. I wondered if I was able to become Thalja in my own way, but it wasn't until I saw the finished movie that I was convinced of that.