Special interview on "So We Goldfish in the Pool". Raw, chatting with Director Nagahisa Makoto and NATURE DANGER GANG.
Quentin Tarantino and Damian Chazelle. The Sundance Film Festival is a gateway to success for independent filmmakers, with a distinguished lineup of past winners. The Grand Prix in the short film category at the 33rd Sundance Film Festival was awarded to "So We Goldfish in the Pool". This was an unexpected event for Director Nagakuma himself. Why did he make films while working at an advertising agency? The film takes a raw look into this emotional realm with Seki and Yuki, members of the Nature Danger Gang, who are deeply involved with the film.
story
In the summer of 2012, 400 goldfish were released into a junior high school pool in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture. The culprits were four junior high school girls. What was the real reason why these four 15-year-old girls, who stated that they "thought it was beautiful," released goldfish into the pool? Based on an actual incident, this is a fast-paced short film that captures the girls' emotions from a fresh perspective. With energetic music and a series of exciting motifs, this 25-minute film continually betrays the viewer's imagination.
Makoto Nagahisa / Film director, commercial planner
A fan of the band NATURE DANGER GANG, which sadly disbanded. I have always wanted to take off my clothes like them someday. This time, I gladly took off my clothes. Written by Nagahisa
entryway
Leader of the band NATURE DANGER GANG, which regrettably disbanded. Tends to take off his clothes during live performances. Appears in movies as a Yankee. Notation in the text: Seki
Yuki.
A member of the band NATURE DANGER GANG, which regrettably disbanded. Tends to wear sailor suits during live performances, tie herself up in them, and then take them off. She appeared in a movie in the role of an idol. Written by Yuki
I feel that the Japanese film industry hates me.
one's domicileI hear: you're being ignored by the film industry.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I don't know why, really. I won the best film in the world, but the Japanese film industry didn't say anything about it. I think they are pissed off. They must have used some kind of backstage power or something. I think they are just trying to be flirtatious.
one's domicileAt an award ceremony with such a jokey atmosphere (laughs). (Laughs.) People who say they are independent documentary filmmakers must think that you are paid to make documentaries.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)The system was originally started about 3 years ago with a web poll, and the person who got the most votes could actually take the picture.
Mr. Nagahisa and I are senior and junior colleagues at an advertising agency, and he contacted me and said, "I'm running a web poll, so please spread the word! He is not the type of person who would normally do such a thing, so I knew he was serious about it. He is not the type of person who would normally do such a thing, so I knew he was serious about it. I spread the word like crazy (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I did something embarrassing that I never wanted to do, like asking all the people I know who I have met in my life to vote for me (laughs).
That's how strong your feelings were.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I think you're right. I usually make a lot of commercials, but I have always been frustrated by the advertising process of responding to what is asked of me and expressing myself correctly. I had been making films at school, and I wanted to do things my own way.
I heard that "So We Goldfish in the Pool" is an answer film to the song "Alive" by the Nature Danger Gang. I heard that it is an answer film to the song "So We Goldfish in the Pool," by the Nature Danger Gang ("Nature").
one's domicileThe "real" thing is that the "real" thing is the "real" thing.
yuki (var. of senbei)Is that so?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I was just making videos for supermarkets. Just when I was making videos for supermarkets, I saw Nature live and thought, "Let's really live! I thought, "I really have to live! I had to do it right. That's why I made the answer film as motivation. This is for real.
yuki (var. of senbei)I'll tell you what: it's a great story.
one's domicileMusic is amazing (laughs). The power of music...or is it the power of your penis? (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I'm not sure if it's the song itself, but the sight of him naked on his surfboard. Watching them, I thought, "I have to do it, too! (laughs).
I wanted to do all the elements that I didn't want, all the parts that were not depicted in the yahtzee,
Did you have any intention of aiming for an award? Not even a little bit.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): Of course not. I just wanted to do what I wanted to do, with the people I wanted to be in it, with the story I wanted to tell. To be honest, I was lucky to win the award.
How did you decide to take up that news?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): I'm working in advertising, and I've been thinking endlessly about the "buzz" plan, and how to get into the yahtzee line. How to analyze the elements and how to combine them. I was doing something like that. Around that time, I saw a news story about "junior high school students releasing goldfish into a swimming pool," and I thought, "There's no way I can describe these kids in one line, that's crap. So I drew a lot of useless cuts in the film anyway. I didn't need the Yankee scene or the brother's Nico scene at all, but I felt a sense of mission to do all the parts that were not depicted in the yahtpis.
I see. So you didn't feel like you were going to cut out a piece of society?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I think so. I want it to be fun for me. The girls who came out said, "We usually don't say things like this! They were like, "Shut up! I was like, "Shut up! I told them, "You don't have to understand, just speak at this speed. (Laughs.) I didn't care if they didn't understand, I just told them to speak this way at this speed. I was amazed at how realistic it was.
one's domicileI think the fact that they are winning awards abroad means that everyone understands, right?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I thought that if it was going to be evaluated from overseas, it would be based on motifs such as "festivals" or "Japanese junior high school girls," but that was not the case at all. I heard that the deciding factor was "the local feeling of Saitama.
one's domicileI wonder if the fixed sense of rurality is the same all over the world.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)The feeling in the local cities is the same. They can't leave for Los Angeles, they can't leave for New York, they can't leave for Paris. About 90% of them can't go to Paris.
yuki (var. of senbei)Saitama: There are people who have been there for a long time and others who have gone to the city, and that's why I feel bewildered.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): It's a blur, isn't it? The grandmother in the Sundance region said, "This is my story..." She said something like that (laughs).
yuki (var. of senbei)I'm just saying: wow!
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I thought, "Really? (laughs). But there were a lot of people who said, "It's my story." But there were many people who said, "It's my story. I never expected that.
one's domicileAll of it: "I did it on a dare." It's better to say, "I did it all on a dare. Like a genius. I thought for sure it would come across. I knew everything. Like that.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): In the current world situation...Trump is supported right now...or something like that (laughs).
yuki (var. of senbei)Hahaha, that's amazing (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I'm really lucky! Like. But it was interesting. I thought it was lucky.
one's domicileI guess it's possible to get it with luck. This interview will make you hate me again (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I don't know what to do... Oh man, I want to be liked....
I can draw a line between what I make as work and what I make as work, and really protect what I think is good subjectively.
Did you decide on the storyline quickly?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): Yeah, just like the actual news. I just wrote the script as I thought of it.
one's domicileI guess: I guess there was momentum.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I re-structured the film, but it wasn't interesting at all. I immediately went back to the very first plot.
So you did it instinctively and sensitively.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): Maybe I was lucky that I didn't have the stereotypes of filmmaking, and that made me look fresh.
You also use a variety of visual gimmicks, don't you?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)(Laughs). (Laughs.) In a supermarket storefront video, you have to make the customers stop, so you have to make something happen every 10 seconds. That kind of technique is alive and well. It was instinctively ingrained in me.
I felt the fine craftsmanship that is typical of commercials everywhere.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I think it's because I was shooting dozens of films a year. I was working hard (laughs).
I think it's amazing that you were able to maintain this emotional and intuitive feeling while working for a company.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I think so. They don't appreciate me that much at the company, and I'm in the corner (laughs). It's hard for the bosses to deal with you, isn't it?
one's domicileI wouldn't like it if I were the boss too. I'd be a pain in the ass. Whether or not he is actually a pain in the ass or not, he would be a pain in the ass (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I can draw a line between what I make as work and what I really think is good from my own subjective point of view.
If we don't follow the rules, there is no point in doing it, isn't there?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I usually do a lot of things to obey people, so I can't do the same thing outside.
The only way to make it better is to break up. Then the rest of the gigs will be better.
Did you and Yuki work at the same time with Nature's activities?
one's domicileI worked at a ramen shop about six times a week, even when I was doing 150 gigs a year.
yuki (var. of senbei)I'm sure you're right. I'm writing a novel right now for a Nature book, and I'm just getting to the "it was never going to happen" part.
one's domicileI thought I could afford it.
yuki (var. of senbei)I'm just now writing about how Seki-chan says it's not impossible, but his childhood friend Nomura would have been impossible. Seki-chan says it is not impossible, but I am just now writing a story about how my childhood friend Nomura would have found it impossible.
one's domicileI think it's funny to think of it as, "I have to do my best in Nature." I think it's not right to think "I have to do my best in Nature's activities.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): Ah, yes. I mean, I do it because I love it.
one's domicileI'm not doing anything hard. You didn't do anything hard, did you?
yuki (var. of senbei)I didn't. It was a lot of fun. My life was falling apart, though. I think it was the year before last. Wednesdays, Fridays, and sometimes two on Saturdays. I was on a schedule like that.
That is tremendous. Was there something that led you to take a break?
one's domicileI thought: "If I keep doing this, it's just going to be fun, and it's going to be the same even if I keep doing it.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I don't know. I wish I had done it.
yuki (var. of senbei)I didn't have a way out. Last year, I was allowed to do many things. I was allowed to do a lot of things last year, including a movie and several music videos for "lute," a visual media company. I would have been happy if I could have exploded one of them, but in the end I didn't even try to explode it, and I didn't do it properly. With that kind of motivation, I thought that if I just left it to others and kept on doing what I was doing, it would only be fun.
one's domicileI'm getting lazy. The only way to make things better was to break up. Then the rest of the gigs would get better. And after we actually told them that we were breaking up, things got better.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I think I could have done a lot more. I wish I could have done more. I think so on my own. I was lucky and won an award, and that was it. Nature is more precious, but I don't know what to do.
yuki (var. of senbei): Suddenly everyone got all mottled up (laughs).
In the end, it's all about spirit, isn't it? I think it's all about the individual's emo.
How do you plan to work?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I was thinking: "I wish I could direct or write scripts rather than advertisements.
one's domicileDo you think the evaluation within the company will change? I guess so.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I've heard that you are good at emotional movies. I heard that you are good at making emotional movies, and I was asked to make a heartwarming web movie for a food manufacturer..." (laughs).
all of usHahaha!
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I said, "It's not emotional in that direction! (laughs).
one's domicileI'd like that. Please give me some work. I'm begging you! Please give me a job! (laughter).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)Of course. Seki-san, you are the best video director in the world right now. It's really good. Nature's music video.
one's domicileAre you serious? That's a huge compliment! Uncle Sakura" was the first video I made. And "Dopa" too.
yuki (var. of senbei)I think it's a really good piece of video work. I can watch it again and again. I can watch it over and over again.
one's domicileI was really enthusiastic. It took a long time. It took me a month without sleeping (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)In the end, it's all about spirit, isn't it? I think it's all about the individual's emo.
What is your motivation?
one's domicileI enjoy making music and videos at home while drinking. Or going to clubs or live music venues. Also, eating good food, going shopping...Wow, there are so many things to do! I'm enjoying everything! (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)You're living a crazy life (laughs).
one's domicileI think it's easiest to make music at home. It doesn't cost any money. It's reasonable!
Isn't there a big difference between getting naked in front of people and writing a song? As a process.
one's domicileI think it's great, though. (Laughs.) Isn't it amazing? (Laughs.) I don't understand why he writes his own songs, gathers people together, and then gets naked and sings! I don't get it. If you think about it calmly.
yuki (var. of senbei)I sometimes feel uneasy when I work with him on recording. I wonder how he can do everything he does, and what he is about... (laughs).
one's domicileI think it's very dark, though. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks so. My mother says I'm dark.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I feel positive about the darkness, though.
yuki (var. of senbei): There's a lot of understanding. They have an understanding of the dark side and the sloppy side, so when they are preached to, everyone is convinced.
I didn't feel that the home or school was realistic. I felt that the scenarios I was creating were more live.
Mr. Nagahisa, you used to say that stories in movies and manga are more realistic and reality is more fictional. Is that still the case today?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I guess it's the same.
yuki (var. of senbei)I think he's a bad person.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I've always been like that. I didn't feel the reality of home and school. I felt that the scenarios I was creating had more of a live feel to them. But when I saw Nature's live performance, I thought maybe that's the kind of people they are.
Seki & YukiHahaha!
one's domicileI am just an extension of my play. My friends from elementary school know me, but they say I haven't changed. When I perform live, something interesting happens. Something. Did you see that today? The way you slid was amazing! I'll tell you that.
yuki (var. of senbei)We've turned it into our own playground.
It's like a psychopath, but it's very emo. It's the scariest thing I've ever seen.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)My parents both work, and I grew up as an honor student in an escalator school. Because I acted out my daily life all the time, it felt more like a fiction, and writing at home was more interesting to me as a child. As an adult, I am glad to know that this is how I can let loose.
one's domicile: I like it! This episode is going to be well liked!
longI'm talking to you with that in mind (laughs).
all of usHahaha!
one's domicile: Please put this in there. You can hate me one more time. It's amazing today. The point of being hated.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I was a child and I lived in a tower apartment. When I was a kid, I lived in a tower apartment building with big windows that looked like mirrors at night.
yuki (var. of senbei): Wow (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)He says: "So, I've been a good boy in elementary school.
one's domicileI think it's very painful.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)It was hard to think about it now.
That sounds like a good idea for a film.
one's domicileI'm sure it's good! Let's make it a video!
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I wonder if it's okay. Don't you like yourself too much?
one's domicileI'll be fine! Don't you like yourself to begin with, Mr. Nagahisa?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I like them. It's not that I like them, it's just that I don't understand why other people exist. Since the birth of my child, I have come to realize that other people have hearts, too.
one's domicileI'm a psychopath, but I make very emo things. It's the scariest thing I've ever seen.
all of usHahaha!
You are well-liked, aren't you? People help me make movies, and when I win awards, they are as happy as if I were one of them.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)When I was little, I didn't have parents, so I had to go to my friends' houses to play, and if I wasn't sociable, I wouldn't get fed. So I had to be very careful (laughs).
It's a sad story.
yuki (var. of senbei)I was a key child. I went to a school childcare center, but I was alone all the time, reading "Ranma 1/2" and playing "Princess Mononoke" on the cliff. I was a strange child. I thought, "It's too bad that tiddlywinks don't get to play with toys.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): Oooh, oopsie subjectivity.
yuki (var. of senbei)Barbie dolls and Licca dolls have faces, so they are human-like and can be played with. Stuffed bears also have human-like faces, so they can participate in playdates. Stuffed bears and stuffed bears have a human-like quality, so they can participate in playdates. I felt sorry for them, so I played make-believe with them for a long time. I was also very satisfied with myself for playing with them.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I see. Like, I'm kind and imaginative.
I still can't describe it in words like sadness or loneliness,
How do you frankly feel after Nature went on hiatus?
one's domicileI'm having fun. When I was doing nature, I couldn't go out and have fun at all.
yuki (var. of senbei)I couldn't do it. When asked if they want to reunite? I would like to, but we all know that we don't have to do it right now.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)It's like a love affair.
one's domicileIt's more like a band or a drinking club. It's like a drinking club at Waseda University.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)Hahaha. What about your novel, Yuki?
yuki (var. of senbei)I write, sleep, and hang out with my high school classmates. I don't have much time while I'm doing Nature. I'm trying to make friends again with old friends. It's fun, but it's also too routine. I can't describe it in words like sadness or loneliness yet, but there are conflicting feelings floating around inside me.
one's domicileYou talk about it recklessly.
distance from the seam in the back of a kimono to the end of the sleeveI'm a handsome handsome man.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I want to extract only "しちゃった ♡".
I just want the story I've thought of to come out in whatever form it takes.
Do you have any videos you are working on right now?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I'm a little frustrated because I don't have time to work on the things I want to do well. I'm a little frustrated because I don't have time for the things I want to do well.
one's domicileI think it's better to be frustrated there, though.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): Yeah, I'll save my frustration and do my best.
What is your outlook for the future?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I'm not only interested in movies, to be honest.
one's domicileToday: full marks for today. Points for being disliked. But I won an award.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I don't care if it doesn't make it to the box office, and I don't care if it's released for free on "lute. So, whether it is a movie, drama, web movie, music video, or manga, I want to continue to publish stories.
I see that you don't care about the format of the video.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I have it as a skill, so I'm just going to do it anyway.
one's domicileI made it anyway, and the Grand Prix was awarded (laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): Yes, yes, I'm from Sundance (laughs).
one's domicileYou've done it," he said.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I thought, "How did you find it - you have a good eye for beauty? I thought I would never really be appreciated because I was making my work based on whether I liked it or not, not on whether people would recognize it or not. Sundance is amazing.
one's domicileThat's the best of the best, isn't it?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I thought I only had one shot, so I gave it my all. I am most happy that my work was recognized and that I felt I could make more films. Films cannot be made by one person.
distance from the seam in the back of a kimono to the end of the sleeveI was so moved at the site. I was moved at the site! I thought.
They look insanely bright because they are doing something that should normally be lost on us as adults.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24): "It's definitely good!" and took the lead actresses to a Nature concert. And they said, "It's not interesting at all" (laughs). (Laughs.) I thought that was interesting. I thought that Nature was shining because they were holding on to something that should normally be lost as an adult. For them, being emotional is normal and they haven't lost it yet. When they see adults doing it, they just say, "What? When they see adults doing it, they just go, "What? It's nothing special. It's just a bad guy acting up.
one's domicileI'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing before. We've been able to do this with the support of those we've lost.
yuki (var. of senbei)How could you do that? I'm not losing it, so I can do it. I can do it because I haven't lost it.
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I thought: "I'd rather do it to the people I lost. I thought it was better to do it to people who lost their lives than to teenagers. I don't want to make a boring movie like "Kimi no Fat wa. I don't want to make boring movies like "Your Fat. I don't enjoy Japanese movies.
Lastly, what are your thoughts on the film?
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I think I'm a real movie buff. So We Goldfish in the Pool" contains a lot of homages to old movies, and I think it's more fun for people who like movies. I think it's more fun for people who like movies, like Nagisa Oshima's "The Art Theatre Guild" or "Typhoon Club. There are a lot of motifs from that area. There is also a sunset scene from a movie called "The Silent Beast.
one's domicileI like the last one. Is it flirtatious? (Laughs).
Choukyuu era (1040.11.10-1044.11.24)I'm not a fan of movies, but I really like movies! (Laughs). You just have to get that pure feeling. I'm not trying to show off or anything.
*At Director Nagahisa's request, he changed into Seki-san's formal attire (during the live performance, he is highly likely to be wearing only a pair of pants).