Indie gem brightens fest

Indie film buffs should check out Hirosue Hiromasa’s award-winning Fourteen at the upcoming Japan Film Festival. He talks to SUBHADRA DEVAN about his work

BORN in 1978 in Kochi Prefecture, Hirosue Hiromasa first came to the public’s attention when acting on stage with a small theatre troupe as a teenager.

His first film role was in The Soup, One Morning, a small budget film shot on video and directed by Takahashi Izumi.

The film won the Grand Prize at the Pia Film Festival Award 2004. That same year, Sayonara Sayo-nara, directed by Hirosue, won the runner-up prize.

He then directed The Lost Hum, also written by Takahashi, which won the Netpac Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2006.

Hirosue then directed and starred in Fourteen. The film, screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2007, earned him his second Netpac Award in as many years.

The film also marks Hirosue’s first film to be released commercially.

Fourteen (Ju Yon Sai) is about Ryo, a junior high school teacher who is upset about the tense atmosphere between the students and the faculty.

She is fuelled by a desire to help but to the students, she is just another self-important adult treating them like children.

When this bitterness uncoils, the viciousness of 14 year-olds exposes Ryo’s troubled past.

This is one of 10 films to be screened in this year’s Japanese film festival.

Other than the Netpac award, Fourteen is a Pia Film Festival scholarship film. The Pia Film Festival is seen as a stepping-stone for young independent filmmakers in Japan.

Hirosue always works with scriptwriter Takahashi, and the duo is called “Gunjyoiro”. The Japanese-speaking director talks about his work in an e-mail:

• You’ve been working with Izumi Takahashi for some time. Which do you prefer – working alone or with a partner?

It depends on the film. There are those that can only be created by myself and those that can only be created by two people.

• Which do you prefer — directing or acting?

Currently, both.

• How would you describe your style of films so far?

Human passion (in everyday life)

• Do you prefer short films or feature?

Feature.

• What are your views on independent film-making compared to being under a studio or film house?

I don’t know of enough about how studios make films to make a comparison but each has its merits.

Studio (Film House): Numerous shooting location possibilities. One can foresee what will happen once the film is completed (screening at cinemas and DVD sales)

Independent: Freedom of creative process. Can shoot till one is satisfied. Filming process is quicker.

• What are you most proud of with Fourteen?

The completion of the film.