Night on Earth: Recommended by Koichi Yamaguchi
Car Selection Reflecting National Cultural Backgrounds

YamaguchiThe film that immediately comes to mind when I think of memorable cars is Jim Jarmusch's "Night on Earth" (1991). It's an omnibus film set in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Rome, and Helsinki, depicting fleeting moments between taxi drivers and their passengers in each city.



OgawaThe camera shows the driver and passenger through the windshield, so it's almost always close-ups of the actors. It's all about facial expressions.

YamaguchiThe cars featured are a Chevrolet Caprice (wagon) taxi cab in Los Angeles, and in New York,Caprice(sedan) taxi cab, a Peugeot 504 in Paris,Peugeot 504, a Fiat 128 in Rome,Fiat 128, and a Volvo 144 in Helsinki.Volvo 144The selection reflects the car culture of each country.



OgawaThat one is excellent. Paris is good too, isn't it? Béatrice Dalle plays a blind prostitute, perhaps? The way the relationship between her and the driver gradually intensifies, making full use of the confined car space, is masterfully done.

YamaguchiI heard there was originally a Tokyo episode planned.

OgawaI would have loved to see that. I wonder who would have been cast. Jarmusch filmed "Mystery Train" the year before (1990), so perhaps Masatoshi Nagase, who appeared in that, would have been chosen again.

The "Hama Mike Series: My Worst Year of Life" - Recommended by Fumio Ogawa
American Promenade Cars That Match Masatoshi Nagase's Character

OgawaMasatoshi Nagase's name came up at the end of "Night on Earth," and the film version of the "Hama Mike Series," starring him, is another film I'd recommend. While not outright comedy, it's full of humor. That's why I wanted to include it here.

YamaguchiMany younger viewers probably enjoyed the TV series "Detective Mike Hama" (2002).



OgawaHama Mike's office is in a gritty part of Yokohama. Mr. Yamaguchi, you're from Yokohama, aren't you? What do you think of the film's setting?

YamaguchiIt captures the atmosphere perfectly. Many people associate Yokohama with areas like Yamate or Minato Mirai, but the film skillfully chooses deeper, more atmospheric locations like Koganecho and Nogecho, which also appeared in Kurosawa's "High and Low." It's commendable how it handles these places and the somewhat shadowed lives of the people who inhabit them, presenting them in a pop style.

OgawaThe Metropolitan, moving at high speed, connects the light and shadow of Yokohama, which is a highlight of this film. Another car that plays a significant role is the taxi driven by Kiyotaka Nanbara. He's Hama Mike's friend, a likable character whose true nature—whether good or bad—is ambiguous. He was popular enough to appear in the TV series as well.

The "Seven Golden Men" - Recommended by Koichi Yamaguchi
The Unexpectedness of Thieves Driving a Rolls-Royce

YamaguchiCars also play a crucial role here. The gold is transported in a car, and the man known as the "Professor," the mastermind of the gang of seven plus one beautiful woman, is always driven in a chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce.

OgawaIs it a Phantom IV from the 1950s? It was a model made in very limited numbers for heads of state, and the one the Professor rides in is likely a body by coachbuilder Hooper. The one in the film looks remarkably similar to a vehicle I saw in reference materials for the British Royal Family. Since it's a rare model, it's fun to imagine they might have used a decommissioned royal car. The combination of thieves and a Rolls-Royce is unexpectedly brilliant in the movie.



YamaguchiThere's a glass partition between the driver and the rear seats, and he taps it with his cane to speak to the driver. It's very elegant. It reminded me of "Sabrina" (1954), starring Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Various luxury cars, including a Phantom I, appear there too. Although the film is from 1954, the Rolls-Royce is a pre-war model, truly from the golden era of the British Empire. The way these props are used is masterful. Hepburn's father is the chauffeur for Bogart's character. I remember a line from Hepburn's father about life having a front seat and a back seat, with a partition in between, which was quite memorable.

OgawaIn terms of having a protagonist who is a dashing thief, it also connects to "Lupin the Third." In Lupin's case, Hayao Miyazaki's values were reflected, stating, "As the son of a poor man, he must drive a Fiat Cinquecento." At least in the first film.



OgawaSharing the theme of group theft, there's "The Italian Job" (1969). A group of British men steal gold bullion from Turin, Italy, using Minis. Turin is Fiat's hometown, so the setting of British cars causing chaos there might be a highlight for car enthusiasts.

Yamaguchi"The Thomas Crown Affair" was remade in 1999 under its original title, and "The Italian Job" was remade in 2003 under the same title. Neither surpassed the originals.

Cars - Recommended by Fumio Ogawa
What Kind of Personalities Were Given to Various Famous Cars from Around the World?

OgawaThen, in "Ratatouille" (2007), set in Paris, the car driven by the antagonist chef, a somewhat unpleasant character, is a Facel Vega, though not an exact replica. It was a French-made specialty coupe that only existed for 11 years. Its engine wasn't self-made, so it's somewhat of a fleeting flower in automotive history, but its unique features, like the dashboard that looks like wood but is actually synthetic resin hand-painted with a wood grain, attract passionate fans. I suspect they chose the Facel Vega for that slightly sinister chef because it's a car with an unconventional charm.

YamaguchiIn "Cars 2" (2011), the cars are no longer based on real models either. You can tell what they're inspired by, but they aren't exact replicas. Perhaps it's due to rights issues?

OgawaIt might be an attempt to avoid the situation where viewers' memories are too strongly tied to specific cars, making it difficult to convey the creators' intended message.