Director Mamoru Hosoda speaks about the response to "Scarlet" at the Venice Film Festival press conference
Director Mamoru Hosoda's latest film, "Scarlet," was screened in the Out of Competition section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, and director Hosoda, Mana Ashida, and Masaki Okada participated in the official press conference and photo call at the festival.
The story follows the protagonist, Princess Scarlett, who fails to avenge her father, but returns to the Land of the Dead to seek revenge on her nemesis.
Ashida voices Scarlett, and Okada plays Hijiri, a modern-day Japanese nurse who travels with Ashida's Scarlett.
Furthermore, Koji Yakusho will play Claudius, the most vicious enemy standing in the way of Scarlett and Hijiri.
Other actors joining the cast include Masachika Ichimura, Kotaro Yoshida, Yuki Saito, Yutaka Matsushige, Kazuhiro Yamaji, Tokio Emoto, Munetaka Aoki, Shota Sometani, Noa Shirayama, and Kayoko Shiraishi.
The press conference was attended by over 100 journalists and media representatives from overseas media. When asked about what inspired him to make this film, Director Hosoda commented, "I wanted to make a film about a revenge drama.
I think people all over the world like revenge dramas, so I wanted to make a film that everyone would want to see. But I also wanted to include forgiveness as another element, and make a film that has never been seen before."
While talking about what inspired him to make the film, he also revealed the key elements that make up the film.
When asked what was particularly difficult about making this film, she replied, "The most difficult part was figuring out how to create the main characters, Scarlett (Ashida) and Hijiri (Okada), and how to make them appealing characters.
I focused on the concept of 'contrast.' One is a princess, the other is a nurse.
By depicting the difference in their positions, I was able to make both of them seem appealing."
Regarding the image of the main character this time, she said, "Rather than the image of a princess that is protected by a prince like in the past, this film expresses a new image of a princess who carves out her own path."
Furthermore, in response to the question, "Considering the current world situation, what message did you put into this work?" he revealed his thoughts, saying, "I believe that even at this very moment, there are many children all over the world who are suffering.
I want those children not to despair about the world. As a parent and as an adult who is part of society, I hope that this world will be a place full of hope.
I put my wish into this work that it will be a world that encourages children."
When asked about recent animation works and the future, he said, "The world of animation is very free, and I think you can express anything. I never thought I would be making a film based on the works of Shakespeare or Dante, but that just shows how much new potential there is in animated films. The possibilities are endless, so I think we will continue to create interesting works."
Ashida and Okada were asked about their roles in this film.
Ashida replied, "Scarlett is a medieval princess, so I struggled to figure out how to express the sense of mission and mindset of a princess. I expanded on my image by watching works and videos of characters who lived in the turbulent times of the Middle Ages, such as Joan of Arc and Elizabeth I. Scarlett is a girl who tries her best to survive in a chaotic world and to achieve her dreams, so I hope that her hard work will inspire everyone (who watches this film) living in the modern age."
Okada recalls, "I've performed Shakespeare in plays and played nurse roles in the past, so the role of 'Hijiri' was ingrained in me. I tried to pay attention to aspects such as my feelings towards Scarlett and the time in between."
Before the official screening, Director Hosoda said, "The press (who gathered at the press conference) loved the film and asked lots of great, passionate questions, so I was able to talk a lot about the film. I was also very moved to be listening to Ashida-san and Okada-san give such great answers as Scarlett and Hijiri." He was pleased with the reaction from the global press.
"Scarlet" will be released in Japan on November 21st and in US theaters on December 12th.
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