"Revolver Lily" Director Isao Yukisada The significance of making this film, brought to light by the modern situation [Director's Interview Vol.340]

Isao Yukisada will be filming an action movie! The news of the production decision for "Revolver Lily" announced in February 2022 must have come as a surprise to many people. As the visuals and trailers were gradually released, the seriousness and high quality of the movie was shown, but the actually completed movie was not only interesting as an action movie, but also a great example of the era of war and the end of the Taisho era. They were facing each other head-on. Director Yukisada said he hesitated about making this film due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but what were his thoughts on making this film? I spoke to him.

"Revolver Lily" synopsis

Shinta Hosomi (Hitonari Hamura), whose mansion is attacked by mysterious men and his maid and others brutally murdered, narrowly escapes from the scene, but is surrounded by pursuers. Shinta is in a predicament when Yuri Kozone (Haruka Ayase) appears in front of him. In Yuri's hand as she helps Shinta, she holds an S&W M1917 revolver -- who is Yuri Ozone? Without knowing the shocking The Truth behind their encounter, the two act together and become engulfed in a huge conspiracy. What fate awaits the two at the end of their life-threatening battle?

Index

• Unimaginable fun
• The significance of making this film brought to light by modern circumstances
• Coen brothers action referenced

Unimaginable fun

Q: What were your impressions when you were asked to direct this film?

Yukisada: We often get asked if we would like to work on a project that we can imagine being completed. I think it's a sense of security about the work I've done up until now, but there's also the word "cheap" (lol). Then I was asked, ``Would you like to do an action movie?'' At first, I thought, ``Why me?'' However, when I was asked, ``Would you like to try something that has never been done before?'', I suddenly became interested.

Accidents are difficult to occur when you can imagine them, but it is interesting to see accidents happen when you can't imagine them. I was drawn to the intention of the reversal. The producer was so enthusiastic that I thought, ``Isn't this a bit reckless?'' I felt the need to respond to that.

“Revolver Lily” ©2023 “Revolver Lily” Film Partners

Q: As an audience member, there's a part of me that's looking forward to that accident. It seems like the producers are also looking forward to that.

Yukisada: There is no point in doing something that you can only imagine, and that is where the potential of planning lies. Another big thing was that the main character was a woman. I think there was both a sense of security for me, who has created many love stories, and an expectation that it would highlight something like ``femininity.''

Yuri Ozone, who was known as the "Murder Doll," is a woman who has lost something important to her and feels like she doesn't know if she's alive or dead. Where can we see a glimpse of femininity and humanity in her? Even though she has taken many lives, she is still a full-blooded human being. I hope it will be a story that overcomes these contradictions while still having them. That's what I thought. This ``thought'' may be what sets me apart from other directors who specialize in action-oriented movies. And I think the same thing probably existed in Mr. Kii, the producer. Now that the movie has been completed, I think about it again.

The significance of making this film brought to light by modern circumstances