Yoko Yamanaka (in Tokyo)

My First Acquisition Was a Hollywood Film

— Cetera will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. You consistently distribute films of high quality, but how did you come to establish Cetera in the first place?

Yoko Yamanaka“I originally worked for a video import company. That’s where I learned about the business of importing foreign films into Japan. As I continued, I began to think, ‘I want to choose films myself.’ I was a great admirer of Gérard Philipe, a legendary French actor, and I wanted to bring more of his films to Japan. I decided to go independent, even if it meant taking risks.”

“My first acquisition was a Hollywood film. When I started, we handled many American and British films. The first film I distributed theatrically was 'The Grass is Greener' starring Cary Grant, Jean Simmons, Robert Mitchum, and Deborah Kerr, followed by Alain Delon's 'The Love Cage' (original title: 'Les Félins'), which helped me gain recognition in the film industry. We also handled 'Happy Together' by the late Leslie Cheung, and Bergman's works, Kenneth Branagh's films…”

From the film 'The Berlin Philharmonic and Children' © 2004 BOOMTOWN MEDIA

— Your relationship with director Branagh goes back a long way, doesn't it?

Yamanaka“Branagh's popularity in Japan grew with his films 'Much Ado About Nothing' and 'Peter's Friends.' Around that time, there were many romantic comedies, so we were even called 'Cetera of Romantic Comedies' (laughs). Later, we held a Gérard Philipe film festival.

“It was around then that I started going to Paris frequently. I brought 'French Twist' (original title: 'Le Mari de la coiffeuse') to Japan, and it was a huge hit. After handling films like 'Beaumarchais' (original title: 'La Belle Noiseuse') and 'Marquise,' we began to handle films that might not attract massive audiences but appealed to a dedicated following, such as documentaries from the Comédie-Française and 'Secrets of the Louvre Museum' (original title: 'L'Enjeu dans la ville').”

From the Gérard Philipe film 'The Proud and the Beautiful' (original title: 'Les Amants de Montparnasse')

— Cetera holds the rights to many Gérard Philipe films, doesn't it? He has a devoted fanbase.

Yamanaka“The reason I started the company was precisely because I wanted to hold a Gérard Philipe film festival. Since then, I've been steadily acquiring his films…”

I Want to See Them, and I Want Everyone Else To

— How many films do you watch each year to select them?

Yamanaka“When I attend markets, I watch about 30 to 40 films. I also watch films when I'm in Paris. So, perhaps 70 to 80 films in total. I don't watch an enormous number.”

— What criteria do you use when selecting films?

Yamanaka“I think many companies in the industry today are buying films without watching them. Because competition is fierce, they engage in forward buying. They purchase based solely on the director's and actors' names. I watch each film individually and select them.
“My criterion for selecting a film is whether it's something that 'I want to see, and I want everyone else to see.' Something that, after watching it, changes one's perspective, gives hope for the future, or moves one with its beauty… I always think about bringing films that 'enrich how we live.'”

— Thank you very much.

Information

From the film 'The Duchess of Langeais' (original title: 'Don Juan de Carvajal')

* Next year,Cetera's 20th Anniversary Filmwill be Jacques Rivette's new film, 'The Duchess of Langeais,' to be screened at Iwanami Hall.'The Duchess of Langeais'Based on a novel by Balzac, it is described as an exquisitely beautiful film, truly befitting Cetera's 20th anniversary. Another highlight for Cetera's 20th anniversary is the documentary celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra,'Trip to Asia' (tentative title).

Cetera HP http://www.cetera.co.jp/

From the film 'TRIP TO ASIA' (original title)