ORICON NEWS:[Interview]Hiroyuki Sanada, the significance of the “real Japan” in the drama “Shogun” | Mainichi Shimbun

2024-03-01 04:00:00

Drama series “SHOGUN Shogun” (Disney Plus) Starring and Producer Hiroyuki Sanada (Photography: Natsuki Matsuo) (C) ORICON NewS inc. Exclusive distribution on “Star” of the video distribution service “Disney+” from the 27th The drama series “Shogun” (all 10 episodes) was produced by “FX”, one of Disney’s production companies. “I wanted my generation to end the era of portraying a misunderstood Japan,” said Hiroyuki Sanada, an actor who moved to Hollywood and carved out a career for himself over the course of regarding 20 years. It is a work of art that is both a milestone and a first step toward the future.

[Video]“SHOGUN Shogun” | Book preview

The original story is the novel “The General” published in 1975 by James Clavell, who is also known for writing the screenplays for the films “The Great Escape” and “Always Have Sunshine in Your Heart.” Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, characters inspired by historical figures such as Tokugawa Ieyasu compete for supremacy, as well as the British who crossed the seas to Japan, and the Portuguese missionaries who monopolized trade in Asia. The story depicts the battle of Sekigahara, with merchants and others involved. In 1980, it was made into a drama in the United States, starring Toshiro Mifune and others. It gained tremendous popularity, and a re-edited version was released in theaters in Europe and Japan, where it received a great response.

Expectations for this film, which has been re-visited following regarding 40 years, are extremely high, with a high rating of 100% on the major US review site Rotten Tomatoes, and a list of TV/streaming programs to watch in February. was listed at the top of the list. The fact that Sanada is participating in full-scale production as both the lead actor and producer is linked to expectations and a sense of security.

“I think the original novel was the first introduction to Japan during the Sengoku period.The dramas of the 1980s were also one of the reasons why more people became interested in Japanese culture. Now that sushi is being sold in supermarkets around town, you can find out a lot of information regarding Japan by doing a little research on the internet.So this time, I’m going to make everything authentic so that you can believe in the story and concentrate on watching it. I thought it was necessary to create a drama that would be universal, neither poking fun at the cultural gap nor portraying a stereotypical samurai.”

■I felt there was a limit to what I might do as an actor.

Sanada’s journey with this work began around 2016, when the work was still in the planning stage. “At first, as an actor, I was offered the role of the main character, Yoshii Toranaga.When I accepted the offer, I requested that Japanese characters be played by Japanese people, and that staff specializing in period dramas be brought in from Japan. , Justin (Executive Producer/Showrunner Justin Marks) and Rachel (Executive Producer Rachel Kondo) asked if I would be interested in helping out as a producer.

After starring in the movie “The Last Samurai,” Sanada moved to Hollywood, saying, “I wanted to end the era of portraying a misunderstood Japan with my own generation.” Sanada, who has struggled alone to “portray Japan correctly,” had the opportunity to become a producer. The request for a concurrent position was something I never expected. “I’ve done everything I might as an actor, but there were limits.”

In this work, he is proudly demonstrating his skill as a producer. “First, we created the script. We thoroughly researched the history to make sure it was historically and culturally appropriate, and I sometimes revised it to suit the character. I also looked at the translation from English to Japanese and from Japanese to English. We made it shine and played catch over and over once more.In order to make it a universal human drama, we were conscious of not making it Western or modern.”

Even gathering staff. “I called on my colleagues who have been making historical dramas for almost 40 years, and the hairdressers, costumers, and set designers, to participate.One supervisor, a samurai expert, and a female samurai expert were in charge of providing guidance on the movements and sword fighting. We have set up a team of three experts.When asked for our opinions on casting, we would sometimes state our opinions and reasons.”

■I put my all into my first producer job: “I felt the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Filming took place over nine months in Vancouver, Canada. Sanada played an active role as a “bridge” at the site, where local staff and Japanese experts and advisors worked together to faithfully visualize a story set in Japan.

At the preview screening held in Tokyo to commemorate the release of the movie, the cast members on stage praised producer Sanada one following another. Cosmo Jarvis, who played British navigator John Blackthorn (Anjin), said, “Whenever I needed to ask something, he was always there.” Takehiro Hira, who plays the role of Ishido, Toranaga’s enemy, testified, “Even on days when he wasn’t appearing, he was on set every day from beginning to end, even fixing the costumes and hairstyles of the extras.” During filming on a bitterly cold night, in the scene where Taira on horseback speaks with his servants, he says, “Mr. Sanada went back and forth to tell me what the director, who was in a warm place far away, told me, and it became difficult to perform. Thank you very much for your help,” he said with a laugh.

Sanada said, “Many of them were participating in filming overseas for the first time, and they had the courage to jump in, so my job was to bring out their best performance, sometimes acting as translators. I thought so.I did everything I might during rehearsals, rehearsals, and the actual performance, checking the monitor for every cut, and I was able to give a good performance and everyone in the room agreed that it was a good idea. The joy of time made me feel happier than ever before.”

At the preview screening to commemorate the above-mentioned distribution, he said, “I’m glad that the day has finally come at the end of a long journey to show it to the Japanese audience.” I’m glad the day has come for you to see it,” Sanada greeted. In an interview, he said, “Japanese people will play the Japanese characters, and we will bring in staff specializing in period dramas from Japan.This time we were able to accomplish something that we had not been able to do before.It was also possible because we were given the role of producer.” , it was a first experience for me, but it was really fun.More than anything, I think it’s a big step that Justin and FX Studio believe in and recognize Japanese actors and craftsmen.” he said with a smile.

Sanada’s eyes are not only on Japan, but also on the world. “Ieyasu was the hero who ended wars and laid the foundation for 260 years of peace.”Sadly, a new war broke out during the filming of this film, and another war broke out during post-production. We’re living in an era where we need heroes like Ieyasu,” he says, thinking regarding Tokugawa Ieyasu, who became a motif for Yoshii Toranaga.

“The story of Toranaga and Anjin overlaps with the process of making this drama, the making of “Shogun Shogun.” The cast comes together to accomplish one thing.If people accept each other and respect each other, miracles will happen.I feel like that was the big message of this drama, which will be distributed all over the world. “I hope people can take away something from this for a better future,” he said with enthusiasm.

The drama series “Shogun Shogun” has been exclusively distributed on “Star” of the video distribution service “Disney+” since February 27th. Two episodes will be distributed initially, and then one episode will be distributed every Tuesday. The final episode will be on April 23rd.

Hair and makeup: Yoshihiko Takamura (SOLO.FULLAHEAD.INC)

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