A new interpretation of the masterpiece GON FOX - What was it that confused Hyoju? Making of "GON, THE LITTLE FOX" vol.7

“Gon Fox” is a story that every Japanese person knows. I'm sure many people were moved by the tragic ending. ``GON, THE LITTLE FOX'' is a film with a new interpretation of the masterpiece. What are the thoughts behind the scenario and the Arrival that should be passed down to the present day? I interviewed Director Yashiro.

Index

• Creating a new work while respecting the original work
• beast and man. An insurmountable barrier between the two of us
• Hyoju's failure leads to tragedy

Creating a new work while respecting the original work

Q: This is director Yashiro's first short film based on an original work. How was the plan decided?

Yashiro: Up until now, I have often done original stories such as `` Norman the Snowman '' (13), but I can't imagine what the original story is like, so when I was writing the scenario, the story changed here and there. I was often confused. In that respect, this time it was quick because there was an original work. When I was trying to choose a story that didn't have copyright, I realized that I like Gon Fox. Once the original story was decided, the planning went smoothly.

The original title is ``Gongitsune'', but I would like people to see it as a separate video work. In that sense, the title has also been changed.

Q: Did director Yashiro come up with the script?

Yashiro: This time, we had a screenwriter come in and create various patterns based on the original work, expanding the image. I create storyboards based on the ones I choose from them.

Q: The original work was written about 90 years ago, but were there any difficulties in adapting it to film?

Yashiro: I've always really liked the original work, but when I reread it as an adult, I realized again how good the writing was. It's a simple sentence with fewer qualifications than modern writing. When you grow up, you realize how good it is.

However, since ``Gongitsune'' is included in fourth-grade elementary school textbooks, I wonder how many children have come to like ``Gongitsune'' after reading this article. I think there are probably a lot of kids who skip it and think, ``That's some old-fashioned writing.''

Some staff members say, ``This is a modern translation of Gongitsune.'' I arranged expressions that don't make sense in today's senses in a way that would make them understandable to people today.

The difficult part was...I had to think about how to convey what was conveyed through text in a video format.

For example, when Gon realizes that Hyouju's mother has passed away, he thinks about it in his den. ``Hyoju's mom must have been sitting on the floor and wanting to eat eel,'' Gon was just imagining it. Text allows me to explain what's going on in my mind, but if I were to make it into a video, it would end up being too explanatory. So, as a matter of fact, I included a scene in which Hyouju's mother says she wants to eat eel.

beast and man. An insurmountable barrier between the two of us