Beautiful on the Surface, but Get Too Close Drawn by Its Sweet Scent, and You Might Be Consumed

— What is your favorite scene in 'Yume Uru Futari'?

It has to be the scenes between Sadawo Abe and Takako Matsu. Like the argument scene at the ramen shop, or the performances across the counter at the izakaya. More than action scenes involving fire, I prefer 'sitting performances' where characters engage in psychological battles through their acting.


— Please tell us about the appeal of actress Takako Matsu.

She is truly an incredible actress. Since I also write screenplays, I have a deep attachment to every expression, every nuance. I see changes on set as a form of chemical reaction, and Matsu-san embodies all of that. Her fundamentals are so solid, and although this is a challenging role, she grasps and performs each part so perfectly that the process moves along smoothly. She's an actress capable of far more than the public image suggests, and I'm excited to see what kind of roles she'll take on in the future.


— You handled the original story, screenplay, and direction for this film. What was the most challenging aspect?

The original idea was vague about four or five years ago, and it took about a year and a half from when I started research to finalize the script. My most natural work is creating the story, and while I enjoyed the filming process for this movie, it was demanding. The best part of directing is having a familiar crew who have waited for my project, and for those approximately 50 days of shooting, I was supported by the staff as we moved forward together. This time, I felt that there were people waiting for my work, and the cast members were all friendly and easy to get along with, so it was enjoyable.


— Your original screenplays 'Snake Berries' and 'Swaying' were both based on dreams you had, and this film's title also includes the word 'dream.'

While 'dream' is often used in a positive sense, I believe it also carries a more frightening connotation. It can be beautiful on the surface, but if you're drawn in by its alluring scent, you might end up being consumed. Tokyo is like that, and there are many people who are consumed by their dreams; dreams can be a frightening thing. I wanted to depict both sides of that in this film.


— Finally, could you tell us yourself what the highlights of the film are?

Regarding 'Yume Uru Futari,' when I recommend specific highlights, my opinions often differ from those of the audience. The reception truly varies from person to person, so I would like everyone to discover their own personal highlights.