Report from the special preview screening and talk event for "Beginners"!

Report: Special Screening Event for the Film 'Beginners'!

Talk Session with Masayuki Kawakatsu and Hitoshi Okamoto (1)

On January 17th, a special screening of the film 'Beginners' was held, exclusively for OPENERS readers. After laughing, crying, and thoroughly enjoying the movie, a talk event took place with editors Masayuki Kawakatsu and Hitoshi Okamoto.

Coordination by PHANTOM FILM

A Breakthrough Work as 'Filmmaker Mike Mills'

KawakatsuI'm pleased to welcome Hitoshi Okamoto, former editor-in-chief of 'Relax' and currently an active editor, to share his insights. He is perhaps the closest to director Mike Mills among Japanese individuals, second only to photographer Takashi Homma.

OkamotoIt started with a feature on Mike Mills in 'Relax' back in 2000. Since then, I've interviewed him in Los Angeles and commissioned his work on various occasions. Before I knew it, I realized we hadn't done a dedicated feature on him. So, in 2003, just before 'The Squid and the Whale' was released, we published a special feature. Takashi Homma visited Mike's hometown of Santa Barbara, met his father, and wrote an article in the form of a photo story. At that time, the manuscript mentioned, 'My mother passed away, and then my father confessed he was gay.' Since it was a private matter, I confirmed it with Mike himself, and he said, 'If Takashi wants to write it, then so be it.' I truly felt their trust in each other. That issue included photos of Mike's father, with his consent. Later, Homma also went to Portland, the filming location for 'The Squid and the Whale.' I suspect that was a difficult time in Mike's life.

KawakatsuBetween 'The Squid and the Whale' and 'Beginners,' he created the documentary 'Does Your Heart Have a Cold?' in 2007 about antidepressants in Japan. It was a truly wonderful work, offering a sense of empathy towards people taking antidepressants. Following that thread, this film also conveys a consistency, showing that the protagonist experiences emotional suppression, and that young, middle-aged, and elderly people alike grapple with their own struggles.

OkamotoI don't know how depressed he was, but during that period, Mike gave me the impression not of being gloomy, but rather of being straightforward and sincere in his conversations, making me want to listen intently.

KawakatsuMike Mills has a prolific career in short films and commercials alongside his feature filmmaking. This film, too, feels like it's being properly recognized as a 'movie,' doesn't it?

OkamotoI believe he's becoming recognized as 'filmmaker' Mike Mills. I strongly felt that when I interviewed him in Los Angeles last summer.

KawakatsuThe protagonist of the film is a designer, but he works for a company. I wonder if there are some aspects that overlap with the director himself?

OkamotoThere was a period when Mike himself said he would turn down all commercial work. I think the time he started the 'Humans' project and was creating works was around the same time he was making 'The Squid and the Whale.'

KawakatsuHe's fundamentally a serious and stubborn person, isn't he? When he came to Japan and we held a talk show, during the introduction of himself, he said, 'I want to get to the Q&A quickly.' I think it was because he wanted people to see him for who he is now, with his 'Squid and the Whale' and 'Humans' projects, rather than talking about his past works.

Mike's Own Personality Appears in Various Parts

KawakatsuIsn't Ewan (McGregor) a bit too cool? (laughs) There are moments like that, but when he's drawing illustrations of his ex-girlfriend with such melancholy, I feel it might overlap with the director himself.

OkamotoThe illustrations in the film are by Mike himself. Because of that, I wondered if I would see Mike in the film, but I was able to switch gears and immerse myself in the movie's world. The narrative structure is complex in terms of time, but as you watch, you gradually get used to it, and you realize it's actually quite simply constructed.

KawakatsuIt's not a shuffle of timelines like in a suspense film; the opening scene connects to the end, and it flows smoothly.

A New Life Depicted Through the Interaction Between Father and Son

KawakatsuBoth Okamoto and I have lost our fathers. The 38-year-old protagonist is in what you might call a 'midlife crisis,' and the shock of his father's confession adds to it. The bewilderment about whether he was truly loved and born into this world is masterfully woven in.

OkamotoThat progression feels natural and gradual, not forced.

KawakatsuScenes like the funeral, where the bereaved family actually has to fill out a lot of paperwork, are where the realism and his graphic, pop-style direction blend well.

OkamotoAlthough I initially wondered if it would overlap with Mike himself, when Ana (Laurent Melanie) first appeared, I thought, 'That's Miranda!' but I quickly realized it was different (laughs).

KawakatsuThat's true. In fact, when I see Miranda's video works, the mother character in the film felt more like Miranda.

OkamotoExactly, the mother's peculiar movements and her strange demeanor really felt like Miranda. Also, the dog in the movie is a Jack Russell Terrier, the same breed as the one Mike's father actually owned. Mike also has a dog named Zoe, and the shy nature of the Jack Russell Terrier in the film seems to resemble Zoe's personality. That felt very realistic.

KawakatsuIndeed. While the film is undoubtedly moving as a standalone piece, regardless of what kind of person Mike is, knowing about Mike adds another layer of interest, allowing us to perceive the realistic elements. I truly hope this film will be spread through word-of-mouth. Furthermore, the story of the father-son relationship and the love story initiated by the son are depicted with a exquisite balance. Also, while there are many films from a gay perspective, this work is open to a wider audience because it portrays the perspective of someone who has had a gay parent come out to them, and how they accept it and move forward with their life. I believe making this film helped him move past certain things, and with his critical acclaim, I'm eagerly anticipating his fourth film.

OkamotoI've always loved everything he's done. When I met him shortly after its release in the US, he seemed to have a sense of accomplishment, as if a burden he had been carrying had been lifted. To transform personal struggles into a work that moves so many people is a testament to his growth as a director, and I find that incredibly encouraging.

Masayuki KAWAKATSU
Born in Fukuoka City in 1956. An editor active in the world of pop culture, spanning genres such as film, music, and art. His major works include 'Pop Addict of the 21st Century' and 'Punk on the Hill: The Half-Life of Hiroshi Fujiwara, the Man Who Edits the Era.' He also served as creative director for the CD box set 'Shin Machi Zukan' commemorating Takashi Matsumoto's 40th anniversary as a lyricist. He has also edited numerous film pamphlets, including those for Woody Allen's 'Hollywood Ending' and David Lynch's 'Inland Empire.'
http://kawakatsupro.com/

Hitoshi OKAMOTO
After working on magazines such as 'Brutus,' 'Relax,' and 'Ku:nel' at Magazine House, he joined Landscape Products in 2009, where he is involved in editing and planning. His friendship with Mike Mills began when he commissioned work for the cover of 'Relax,' where he was editor-in-chief, and they have since collaborated on introducing his work and conducting interviews in magazines. Just recently, he visited Mike's mountain cabin for an interview for 'Casa Brutus.'
http://www.landscape-products.net/

'Beginners'
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor at this year's Academy Awards!

Winner of Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Plummer) at the 69th Golden Globe Awards

Winner of Best Supporting Actor (Christopher Plummer) at the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards

Winner of Best Picture and Best Ensemble Cast at the Gotham Independent Film Awards

Nominated for 3 awards at the Independent Spirit Awards (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor)
Award)

Read the film's introduction article