Starring Nakamoto Manami and directed by Katayama Taku, this is a film full of silly comedy elements.

The film "Is miso curry milk ramen good?" stars Mana Mana Nakamoto, a popular model and influencer among teenagers, and is directed by photographer and filmmaker Taku Katayama. We asked the two about the highlights of the film.

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Model Aimi Nakamoto　

■ Profile

A model/influencer, she also does her own editing work on her YouTube channel.
Recently, she has expanded her activities to include gravure appearances in magazines and producing artists. She appeared in the 9th and 14th episodes of the Bemata romance reality show "I fell in love today." In August 2021, she appeared in a new project called "Is it okay if I keep on loving you tomorrow?", in which the former members of "I fell in love today" go on a trip again.

■How did you feel when you were chosen to appear?

　I was honestly surprised. I had heard about it vaguely, but I never thought it would be me. At the same time, anxiety, excitement, and anticipation all came flooding in at once. I was looking forward to being in a film as the lead, but I was also nervous, not wanting that day to come, and the frustrating days continued for a while, even during filming. Also, being entrusted with the big role of being the main lead, I think I felt a mixture of anxiety and the desire to live up to expectations.

■How do you feel about your role?

　I made a conscious effort to imitate the gestures of my friends and the high school girls around me. I imagined the character I was playing and incorporated the little quirks and aura of my friends to fit that. I'm the type of person who normally observes the friends around me, so I think I used that experience as a reference for a lot of the characters. Also, the main character, Nihonyanagi Utsutsu, is a very talkative character who speaks bluntly about things that she normally thinks but can't say out loud, so I think there are parts of the character that not only I but the viewers can relate to. On the other hand, Utsutsu has an image of being different from the rest of society, so I was conscious of creating a character that would be perceived as quirky.
　There are many silly scenes with a strong comedic element, but there are also scenes where the characters think seriously, and in those scenes I was conscious of the weight of every word. However, I think that overall I was able to express it in a natural way, rather than feeling like I was making something up.
　When I was interacting with Yume, I had to remember her lines perfectly in order to feel any emotion, so I acted as if I was talking to her. That made it easy to imagine, so I was able to act smoothly and enjoyably. However, it was really hard to match the gazes and timing in the CG scenes...!

■What are the highlights of this work?

　This is where the emotions of the main character, Utsutsu, change. Originally, he's a boy with no interest in anything, but as the story approaches its climax, I'd like you to pay attention to how his facial expressions and other emotional expressions gradually increase. I think it gives you strength to know that even in difficult situations, you can overcome them next time. Also, because he's a boy who can clearly express his emotions, it's very moving to see him express things that would normally make you feel confused and wonder, "Why is this happening?"
　Then, in the first scene where Utsutsu runs while singing, it's an important scene that shows us "This is the kind of kid the main character, Utsutsu, is!", so I put my all into it.

■What are your future dreams and challenges?

　This was my first lead role in a movie, and the first time I had the opportunity to act properly. However, I strongly felt that "acting is great after all!" At the same time, it was the most memorable job I've ever done, and it made me want to act again and pursue it further.

■Please give us a message for university students!

　This work made me realize once again that honesty is the most important thing. I think that some people of our age want to grow up quickly and end up speaking in a faux pas. However, this work made me realize that this is a huge waste. I was reminded of the importance of communicating honestly and putting things into words, so I hope that others will feel that same way.

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Photographer and filmmaker Taku Katayama

■ Profile

He handles over 200 commissions per year and works with a wide range of clients, from major talent agencies and music labels to online and print media. His work is known for its pale, Scandinavian-style colors and literary plot structures, and he excels at depicting the loneliness and youthfulness that exudes from the screen, similar to that of Vilhelm Hammershøi.

■What inspired you to create this work?

　It all started when I was talking with a friend who was involved in the insert songs for this film and we were talking about wanting to make something. At first, I was researching, wanting to make something that somehow combined culture and subculture. Then I found out about the Shimokita Peninsula, and started with a wordplay on the Shimokita Peninsula and Shimokitazawa. Also, since Mount Osore is on the Shimokita Peninsula, I connected words like "itako" (sea cucumber) and "itaiko" (painful child), and in the end the piece came together like a string of beads. The title of this piece is actually a local gourmet dish in Aomori called "Miso Curry Milk Ramen," but I thought it was similar to the food in this film, which mixes themes like "itako," "Shimokita," "Osorezan," and "subculture," so I took the name from there.

■What struggles, conflicts, emotions and joys did you face while making the film?

　Before filming, it was difficult to share the image of "what kind of film we wanted to make." Coordinating nuances with the scriptwriter was quite a difficult task, as it was an abstract concept. Once filming began, the physical aspect was also tough. We went to Aomori in May, and there were extreme temperature differences, with snow falling and clear skies. In that environment, we had to shoot the Aomori scenes in just six days, so the schedule was also tough. However, I was very moved when we wrapped up filming and when the film was finished.

■What are the highlights of this work?

　This time, I created the film with the image of a buddy team solving problems together, so as they solve the problems, they grow and realize things through their interactions, so I hope you'll pay attention to that aspect. However, I want you to watch it without getting too worked up, thinking it's basically silly. It might be just right to feel like, "What is this guy doing?" (laughs).

■Please give us a message for university students!

　I think it's best not to reject everything. It's easy to reject things, people's opinions, and what they do, but it's difficult to accept them and try them out. For this reason, even if you have an incompatible idea, I think it's important to try and accept it at least once and ask yourself, "What does this mean?"

Student Newspaper Online, Nihon University, 2nd year student, Koji Ishida

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