"Yukite Kaherenu" Director Negishi Kichitaro: What the years leading up to filming brought about [Director's Interview Vol.473]

Tanaka Yozo wrote the original screenplay for "Yukite Kaheranu" over 40 years ago. It was a phantom script that many directors and producers had aspired to turn into a film but never got around to it. But thanks to the strong will of master director Negishi Kichitaro, it was finally made a reality. In recent years, Director Negishi has been teaching film at a university, but "Yukite Kaheranu" is his first new work in 16 years. How did Director Negishi create this film? We spoke to him.

"Go and never return"

Kyoto. An aspiring actress, Hasegawa Yasuko (Hirose Suzu), meets Nakahara Chuya (Kido Daisei), who is still a student. Yasuko is 20 years old and Chuya is 17. The two, who put on a somewhat bluffing front, are attracted to each other and start living together. They have different values. However, they share a good-natured attitude that allows them to respect each other. Tokyo. Kobayashi Hideo (Okada Masaki) suddenly visits the house where Yasuko and Chuya have moved. He is the man who knows Chuya's talent as a poet better than anyone else. And Chuya is also proud to be respected by Kobayashi, a master critic. Seeing the men's harmonious relationship, Yasuko has mixed feelings. She feels lonely, as if she has been left behind by the talented creators. However, Kobayashi, who met Yasuko, also notices her charm. The critic, who seeks authenticity, also finds authenticity in the up-and-coming actress. And so begins a complicated yet simple relationship. Unmatched vectors, fleeting misunderstandings. One woman being loved by two men. This was also the youth of these artists.

Index

• Teaming up with young photographer Shingo Gima
• What the years leading up to the shoot have brought
• The hard part is finding what you want to do

Teaming up with young photographer Shingo Gima

Q: How was it making a film for the first time in 16 years?

Negishi: I didn't think I'd made much progress (laughs). I was teaching film to students, so I studied in my own way. I watched films I'd never seen before and studied film history, and thought I understood film. I hoped I'd improved a little, but nothing had changed (laughs). But while I hadn't changed, I hadn't forgotten either. It felt like I hadn't made any progress, but I hadn't regressed either.

Filming finished over a year and a half ago, but between then and the release, I had a mountain of thoughts crossing my mind, like, "Should I have done this?" or "Should I have done that?" In the end, I realized I hadn't made much progress (laughs).

"Yukite Kaheranu" © 2025 "Yukite Kaheranu" Production Committee

Q: The staff this time includes young photographer Shingo Gima.

Negishi: I wanted to add something new to myself, not the same style as before. I thought the potential of young people would be inspiring in directing. In films like " I've Never Shot You Once " (2019), which was shot by Gima-kun, the framing of the acting was spot on. I wanted to work with someone who could frame with that kind of feeling.

Tatsuya Nagata, the lighting technician who I've worked with for many years, also said, "I really wanted to work with Gima-kun." That was a good combination. Incidentally, Mitsuo Harada, who I asked to do the art, is also a regular with Sakamoto-san. In that sense, I think I'm borrowing the power of Sakamoto-san this time (laughs).

What the years leading up to the shoot have brought