Even if it means abandoning what I've built, I want to live true to my heart.

Minami, who experienced a year-long study abroad in Paris as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' program for emerging artists in 2014, is now in her second year based in France as of this September. She continues to work as an actress, traveling between Japan and France. Naturally, her eye for film is sharp.



"I was curious about it when it was released in Paris last year, but I couldn't see it then. I've already watched it twice in Japan. The first time, I was caught up in the tension of following the story. The second time, knowing the ending, I could focus on the details. I was able to view the relationships more objectively than the first time and enjoy the Indian scenery. I also felt the director's love for his actors. It wasn't just about wanting to make this film, but about trusting the actors and believing in what they, and only they, could bring to their roles, which I found wonderful. I was also drawn to Jean Dujardin's humor."

As an actress, she also spoke of imagining the filming process and feeling, "Ah, that's nice, I wish I were there." "Apparently, there was a lot of improvisation. Films like this really test an actor's abilities. Their way of life and values shine through their roles. So, I could feel through the screen that the cast members were fulfilled both as people and as actors, and were grounded individuals. However, due to my profession, I found myself wondering if I could handle this level of conversation in French, or if I could improvise such witty comebacks and sarcastic replies. It made me quite nervous (laughs)."

In this film, the interactions between Anna and Antoine form the core of the narrative, and their dialogue is remarkably witty and sophisticated. Their true feelings subtly surface within these exchanges. The man and woman, despite having partners, express their unspoken affection through their words, engaging in frank conversations that even foster a sense of peculiar trust. Such dialogue is said to be quintessentially French.

"I attended the Lycée Franco-Japonais in Japan from kindergarten through elementary school. I transferred to a Japanese school in junior high because I wanted to become an actress, so I was aware of the differences between the two cultures. One of the things that became easier when I went to France was being able to freely express my thoughts. France is a country of dialogue. If I state my opinion, something will be returned. It's natural for our thoughts to differ. As long as you don't say it the wrong way, it won't lead to a fight, and there are no lingering resentments or grudges. While Japan's 'culture of empathy' is wonderful, acting in a French manner in Japan would hurt the other person, and I often made mistakes myself. This film really captures the French way of relating to one another."

Another aspect she found distinctly French was a certain 'c'est la vie' nonchalance. "Even in romantic relationships, if you clearly state your opinion to your partner and they dislike you for it, you might think, 'Well, I don't need you anyway.' I think that's quite common. Perhaps they don't tend to put up with things (laughs). There are many things about France that I find quite casual. As someone impatient, I'm still not used to that laid-back attitude. It truly is 'c'est la vie.' At first, I thought France and India would be a strange combination, but perhaps they share a similar approach to time and a certain optimism."



About nine years ago, she embarked on a journey through South India. What struck her was how the country felt like a collection of fragments, which, when gathered, shone with various colors. "I felt that India is made up of a mosaic of diverse emotions, situations, and values. Even if individual elements seem worthless at first glance, the light and vitality they generate are incredibly strong. Perhaps that's why it embraces such diversity. It has a deep capacity for acceptance."

Hamabe believes that the love story of the protagonists, living in different worlds—one the wife of the French ambassador to India, the other a film composer—finding open hearts, understanding each other, and falling in love, gains an even greater sense of reality under the Indian sky. "India accepts everything. I wonder if two completely different people would have fallen in love in France. Antoine, in particular, gives the impression of being materialistic. But that wouldn't fly in India. It's a place where the value of things beyond money—life, the human heart—becomes apparent."

In India, a land of wonder that makes you realize what's truly important, the protagonists unexpectedly encounter their destined love. Hamabe also finds allure in the unpredictable depths of life, where one can stumble upon new love regardless of how fortunate they may be. "That's why, when you encounter something like that, you don't want to lie to your heart. While it's possible to lie, I believe your life would end with immense regret. Even if it means abandoning what you've built up until then, being able to live true to your heart is something I consider extremely important."

For Hamabe, moving to France was precisely a decision made from the heart. "I left everything I had built in Japan behind. I started from scratch, and now, finally, I've joined an agency in France. I have no regrets. I've gained confidence, and I've come to like myself more. Living according to my feelings is, of course, difficult. Whether in love or in work. But the rewards you gain from doing so are invaluable."

Will Anne and Antoine find something invaluable? Attention is drawn to the ending depicted by the master of romance films.



"Anna and Antoine: Prelude to Love"→