Battle Royale Press Conference /『バトル・ロワイアル』
This will be the 60th film by one of the most respected directors in Japanese cinema Kinji Fukasaku. Thank you for coming out today despite the gruelling heat. My philosophy is that you only live once. People say: “What is he doing this for at his age?” I’m not surprised that people ask this. When I read the original book, it was more to me than just a shocking story about 42 junior school students being slaughtered. I identified with it personally. It connected to the first-hand experience of death and annihilation I had at age 15, during the Second World War. And that’s why I was determined to make this movie. At first I was concerned about how I would communicate this to a generation who have had no experience of war. But everyone seemed to respond very well. I think it can only get more interesting. In addition, I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Takeshi ten years ago, but it didn’t work out. So I am delighted that our paths have crossed again and we are finally able to work together. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. What director Fukasaku is referring to is that he almost directed the film ‘Violent Cop’, which starred ‘Beat’ Takeshi. So we are all even more excited about this film as it marks the first time they have worked together. Now let me introduce the actor who plays Shuya Nanahara. He earned the nickname ‘Flying Fujiwara’ for his lightening reflexes and the fact that he did many of his own stunts. Here’s Tatsuya Fujiwara. First I’d like to say that I cried when I read the book and then I cried again when I read the script. I was deeply affected by it from start to finish. I want everybody to see this film. If you are Japanese then I believe it is your duty to watch it. And I think everyone involved in the film feels as strongly as I do. What is my impression of the director? The actors all talked about how when we were at our lowest, the director revitalised us with his inexhaustible energy. Whenever I felt tired and exhausted during the shoot, I would look to him to help me continue. After that, I felt I could work till dawn. Next is Aki Maeda who plays Noriko Nakagawa, the girl who secretly falls in love with Fujiwara’s character. My character is an individual with her own set of beliefs and values. As the classmates get killed, those remaining start to lose faith. They get confused and scared of being alone and so the only thing they can truly believe in is themselves. But Noriko maintains her faith in the one person that she loves and this encourages her to persevere. She is a very tough girl. Although filming starts very early and continues until late at night Director Fukasaku is active all the time. Whenever I’m on the set, I feel energized by his presence. Now Taro Yamamoto who plays Shogo Kawada. Hello, my name is Taro Yamamoto. When I was told that the main characters in this film were school kids I assumed that I would be playing their P.E. teacher. Then I found out I was up for the role of one of the students and thought the director must be mad. Nonetheless, I went to the audition half expecting not to get it, because I wasn’t what they were looking for. Director Fukasaku gave me a lot of direction even though it was an audition which encouraged me and made it worthwhile even if I didn’t get the part. I was told that I would hear from them later that afternoon. But I still hadn’t heard anything by the next day and it was another two or three weeks before I got the call. I was surprised that he would let a 25 year old play a school student. I thought he was insane – apologies, Director! But what amazed me most about Director Fukasaku was the fact that at the audition he had a walking stick, but when we began rehearsals he suddenly started walking unaided and running around. It made me wonder what the walking stick was for in the first place. He’s like a superhero. I admire him for maintaining his passion at 70. I want to be like him when I get older. Let me introduce Masanobu Ando, who plays Kazuo Kiriyama. After I got the part, I was a little bit apprehensive because I had to play somebody a lot younger than myself. But I decided to look at it as my last chance to wear a school uniform and savour the experience. When I look at the director it makes me think about how good it is to be able to live your life doing something you love. He also made me realise that growing old is not such a bad thing. And next up is the cold-blooded teacher called Kitano, who supervises the slaughter of 42 students, ‘Beat’ Takeshi. Hello. The title of this film is ‘Battle Royale’. And in it everybody kills each other. When I first set foot on Director Fukasaku’s territory the film set itself was like Battle Royale. The assistant director had gone absent without leave and the crew were dropping like flies. It seemed like a case of ‘last man standing’. I have only been on set a few times each month. But when I returned yesterday, the crew seemed at least twenty years older than when I last saw them. In the midst of all this, Director Fukasaku is the only person with any energy. It’s as if he is feeding off everyone else. When he asked me to be in this film, I was already aware of the book ‘Battle Royale’. But when he told me he wanted me to play the teacher, I had to ask if he was sure I was capable. He told me my acting skills would carry me through. So I said: “Fine, as long as you say so, I’ll do it.” Then he asked if I minded playing a character named after me. I drew the line at that, because it meant I wouldn’t be playing a role. We made a compromise that he would spell it differently. I nearly worked with Director Fukasaku on ‘Violent Cop’, but once shooting began on ‘Battle Royale’ I was glad I didn’t work with him back then otherwise I might have given up making films for good. I never realised it was such a frenzied activity. He is a very inspiring individual and a born leader. Expect a film full of powerful images.
Kinji Fukasaku, Takami Koushun and the main cast of Battle Royale gathered at the production announcement in 2000.
製作発表に顔をそろえた深作欣二さんとビートたけしら主な出演者＝2000年
From left to right: Takami Koushun (author of Battle Royale novel), Taro Yamamoto (Shogo Kawada), Aki Maeda (Noriko Nakagawa), Tatsuya Fujiwara (Shuya Nanahara), Masanobu Ando (Kazuo Kiriyama), Takeshi “Beat” Kitano (Kitano) and Kinji Fukasaku (director of Battle Royale movie)
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