UNITED STATES
Ayane Nagabuchi conquering Hollywood
After debuting in Japan, the 35-year-old actress is pursuing her career in the United States. She is showing the movie “Tetris”, on Apple TV+.
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Henry Arnaud, Festival SXSW d’Austin
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His father, Tsuyoshi, is a rock star in Japan, his brother Ren is a famous rapper in Asia. It is therefore quite naturally that Ayane Nagabuchi followed her family into the world of showbiz. His first American film, “Tetris”, for which Taron Egerton gave us an interviewhas been available since March 31, 2023.
You were born into a family of very famous artists in Japan. Have you always wanted to be an actress?
I always wanted to be an artist in different fields. Radio, TV, cinema: everything interests me. Comedy allows me to approach the arts in many different ways depending on the roles I am offered.
Precisely, what can we expect from “Tetris”?
Everyone knows ‘Tetris’ which has been around for decades, but hardly anyone knows the story behind its creation. It’s fascinating to see the war that the people involved in “Tetris” waged for the rights during the 1980s and 1990s. And all this against the backdrop of the Soviet Union, the Cold War and the infancy of computers. It was the most searched game during the Game Boys era for those who experienced that (laughs). I tell myself that the youngest gamers will perhaps rediscover “Tetris” and bring this game back into fashion.
You play Akemi, the wife of Henk Rogers, who is the head of the Tetris company. Have you met the one you play in this film?
Yes, I took my preparation really seriously because I wanted to do justice to Akemi Rogers and her influence with her husband. I did a lot of research on her life and then I contacted her and we talked for over an hour before the first day of shooting. It helped me to understand his mentality.
How did you prepare your complicity with Taron Edgerton who plays your husband?
This is my first role in an American production and I hope to have more filming opportunities in Hollywood. So I felt vulnerable during filming, but I owe a lot to Taron who supported and encouraged me when I was hesitant, for example with my English. He’s a real gentleman.
Is it true that it took two years to make ‘Tetris’?
Yes. We started in Scotland in 2020 and finished in England in 2022. Filming was complicated because of the Covid, but it was a great experience because I have never worked on a film for so long.
The world premiere of “Tetris” was held at the festival in Austin, Texas.
It was surreal for me because it was the first time I attended such a party with a red carpet. And it was the first time I saw “Tetris” completed. So there was a mixture of joy and anguish. But it was a real pleasure to live this experience.