"658km, Yoko's Journey" Director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri A life that could have been for me [Director's Interview Vol.336]

Casting the people you meet

Q: The people you meet on your journey are also interesting and have a variety of characters. Personally, I was impressed by the married couple Takeshi Yoshizawa and Jun Kazebuki, and the silent Atsushi Shinohara. How did you decide on the casting?

Kumakiri: I decided on the casting in consultation with the producer. Kazebuki-san was previously in " Mukouku " (2017) and it was really good, so I wanted to ask him again from the beginning. Also, I'm a fan of director Wakamatsu Koji, and I've always wanted to work with Yoshizawa Ken-san, who is a regular in Wakamatsu's films. Yoshizawa-san was the protagonist of Wakamatsu's film " Shin Nihon Raidou Ankokushi: Fukushuuki " (69), which has a great title (laughs). I wanted to make the image overlap with Yoko's father in some way, so I thought Yoshizawa-san and Odagiri-san might have some similarities.

That's because Atsushi Shinohara loved " Koibitotachi " (2015). Shinohara's role this time is just to listen to Yoko's story in silence, but I couldn't think of anyone that Yoko would want to talk to. But I thought that Shinohara would be the one I would want to confide in.

"658km, Yoko's Journey" ©2022 "658km, Yoko's Journey" Production Committee

Q: I was also surprised that the first person to get me going was Asuka Kurosawa.

Kumakiri: Yes. I thought it would be good to have a slightly different feel for that role. The tone of his voice, the way he talks, etc., he's in a bad mood at first, but in fact he was just hungry (laughs). I wanted to portray him becoming a talkative person after eating. I thought it would be good to have a bit of a bubble-era feel in each of his gestures.

Q: The "nasty" freelance writer played by Hamano Kenta was a perfect example of someone who could actually exist. Was there anyone that you based the character on?

Kumakiri: When I talked to Hamaken, I vaguely had a common image with a certain journalist. I won't say who it was (laughs). Also, Hamaken is a kind person, so I wanted him to act in that kind of way, but not in a disgusting way. Then Hamaken said to me, "Do you think I'm a disgusting person when I'm not?" (laughs). That's not my intention at all.

I would have taken the photos even if it wasn't snowing.