Film director Kazuya Shiraishi: Making a film is 2 million times more fun than watching it

Kazuya Shiraishi(Kazuya Shiraishi)

Born December 17, 1974 in Hokkaido. He participated in the film school run by director Genji Nakamura. He subsequently studied under director Koji Wakamatsu and worked as a freelance director. He made his feature film debut in 2010 with "Lost Paradise in Tokyo." His major directorial works include "Kyouaku" (2013), "Birds Without Names" (2017), "Waiting for a Calm" (2019), "One Night" (2019), and "The Blood of Wolves Level 2" (2021).

Director Shiraishi made his name known in the film world with the release of "Kyouaku" in 2013. He has been involved with film since his student days, but says he never thought he could make it as a film director. His works always depict "human diversity" and leave something in the viewers' minds. We spoke to Director Shiraishi about his thoughts and commitment to filmmaking as he brings such popular works to the world.

■ Things I've continued to like

After graduating from a film school in Sapporo, I enrolled in a film school instead of getting a job. Through that school, I ended up joining Wakamatsu Productions, where I worked as an assistant director for over 10 years. Whether I was making films or not, my life was full of ups and downs, but it was incredibly fun. However, around the time I turned 30, I felt like I'd done my job as an assistant director. I declared that I was quitting my job as an assistant director and started working in the planning and development department of a film production company. I shifted from the manual work I'd been used to working with my head. It was during this time that I planned and shot "Lost Paradise in Tokyo," a film I made with the determination that if I did what I loved and it didn't work out, then that was ok, and I'd retire from the industry. At the time, I wasn't entirely convinced I could make it as a director, but with each job and connection I had since, my perspective and my feelings began to change.

■The responsibility of making films

When I make films, I always try to remember the feelings of those who are considered to be at the bottom of society. Films must look at things from the other side of power. Even when I look at popular films, I think that what is required of films is to depict the absurdity of human beings and anti-authority. Within that, I value depicting the multifaceted nature of human beings. I believe that humans are multifaceted, such as when a murderer accidentally helps an old woman. Even in a single scene with a supporting character, I place importance on small gestures so that I can show the character's background. I believe that when making entertainment, you must keep in mind that the people you are filming are human beings. And if you incorporate as much as you can into your film, even if it doesn't get across now, I believe that it will someday be conveyed if it becomes a historical work.

■ The joy of making movies

From the time I started directing until now, I've always approached my filmmaking with the mindset that if this one film doesn't work out, I'll quit. It's a miracle that I've even made it this far, and I've always been sincere in my interactions with my viewers. But being a film director isn't the only thing in life. Right now, I'm trying to pack everything I want into each and every film I make. But, this job is so much fun, isn't it? Watching films is fun, but making them is 2 million times more fun. I know how to have fun. Even though I say I'm free to quit anytime, I can't seem to let go (laughs). Films can't be created by a single person; they're made by a group of specialists. Right now, I feel like I still have a lot to learn as a director, and I'm filming while learning from specialists. I want to continue making films, trying new things through trial and error.

■ massage

I think things are tough right now with COVID-19, and I think students are really thinking about a lot of things. However, I also feel like they've become a little more mature than they were a while ago. When you're a student, there are things you can only do when you're a student. Sometimes you can push forward precisely because you don't know things, so I think it's okay to be a little more unruly. I hope that students won't easily set limits while they're still in college, and will take on new adventures.

Student Newspaper Special Edition April 2022 Tsuda University 4th Year Student Aki Kawanami