ACCLAIMED Japanese film director Masato Harada said there is a need for international cooperation to ensure continuous growth in the world’s film industry.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening of the 20th Eigasai, the annual Japanese film festival, the acclaimed director said there is a need to address the decline in both Hollywood-and Japan-made movies.
“Japanese films have been on the decline, because everyone is afraid to take risks. I have been constantly working on films for the past 20 years, and none of my screenplays made it into the movies,” Harada said.
He added: “Hollywood is also on the decline, because it is just now relying big budget franchise movies. There is a need for cooperation.”
According to Harada, Japan can compete on the same level with Hollywood in terms of its capability on computer graphics and computer-generated imagery, where he said it can be done more economically in their country.
“We have similar talents,” Harada said.
However, he said their budget for films pales in comparison with what Hollywood is allotting for its movies.
“There is a big difference because of the budget. In Japan $8 million is considered already big,” Harada said, while time given to develop screenplays is also wide apart.
He said Japan needs a good agency system that will allow them to market good original screenplays and promote their talents.
Harada has three movies screening during this year’s edition of Eigasai, including Kakekomi, Chronicle of My Mother and The Emperor in August.
Last Friday Harada was at the Cultural Center of the Philippines for the onetime special screening of The Emperor in August—a film that spotlights the anguish and deliberations of Japanese who wanted to end the Pacific War. The screening was followed by a Director’s Talk with the audience.
On Saturday Harada held a second Director’s Talk at the Shang Cineplex, after the screening of his period piece Kakekomi, which depicted the lives of women in 18th-century Japan looking to divorce their husbands.
Harada has directed more than 20 films and has appeared in Hollywood movies, including The Last Samurai and Fearless.
Eigasai this year holds special meaning for the Japan Foundation Manila, as it celebrates its 20th anniversary and 60th year of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.
Featuring 12 Japanese films including an animé, Eigasai will run until August 21 and will have more than 80 screenings in key cities across the country.
Image credits: Roy Domingo