What can an actor do?
This work humorously depicts a hard situation that reminds us of the earthquake and tsunami, so we do not feel a heavy emotion after watching it. However, I am afraid that a work that skillfully wraps up such a hard situation with laughter might be a step in the wrong direction in this day and age.
Ikematsu:As an actor, I am constantly confronted with the emotions of many people. As an actor in this country and as a human being, I think it is a special thing to be given the opportunity to face such things through my work and through my acting.
Although I am not a party to these events, there are many events that I was able to face because of this job. I believe that there are many things that can be told only through stories. It is sometimes difficult to find a sense of distance, but 12 years have passed since 3.11, we have experienced Corona, and we are approaching the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. I don't think we can do the work of expression without considering what we have gone through and, to a large extent, the state of the world.
With this work, I hoped that it would be a small resistance against the loss of things that are being lost or forgotten due to such various events and changes of the times.
Watanabe:I understand very well. When I participate in a production, I always intend to convey the intention of the work as a story as an actor, and to participate as a person who can better convey the story. But what I think is most important is not to come to a correct answer or conclusion, but for everyone to have an idea, to communicate it to each other, and to listen to each other.
That is true on a regular basis, regardless of expression. Whenever a problem arises, it would be nice if we could build a relationship of mutual respect, rather than a trial of who is better or worse. I hope this work will be the "seed" for such a discussion.
It is true that this work itself depicts a situation in which everyone is talking to each other in an open and honest manner, isn't that right? What about you, Mr. Taiga?
Nakano:There are many cases in which a story is created based on a horrific incident or disaster that actually occurred, for example, in film, drama, or theater. However, depending on the subject matter and timing, or by depicting it too directly, it may be too sharp and the recipient may reject it out of hand.
However, by incorporating fiction, much less humor, with the creator's ideas and ingenuity, it is sometimes easier to convey what was originally intended to be conveyed. I have a feeling that if there are 10 recipients, they will feel the work in 10 different ways, and will receive it in a richer way than we, the creators, could ever do.
I would not say that it is an actor's mission, but I am proud of it and consider it very important to be able to do it as a job, as an expression, to pick up the small voices and bring them to the audience, something that has been forgotten over time through the work.
