Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Tsukamoto Shinya discusses independent filmmaking and his continuing focus on war
At a Tokyo International Film Festival masterclass, Japanese director Tsukamoto Shinya discussed his career and latest feature, the English-language film “Mr.
Nelson, Did You Kill People?”.
He is best known overseas for “Tetsuo: The Iron Man,” his 1989 independent film, which he made on 16mm with improvised effects.
Its success brought attention from overseas festivals and helped lead to a larger-budget feature, “Hiruko the Goblin.”
Tsukamoto said he prefers making films independently because he wants to shape the material himself rather than work as a director for hire.
He also spoke about “Fires on the Plain,” his 2014 independent war film, adapted from a novel and shot in the Philippines, Okinawa and Saitama Prefecture.
Tsukamoto said he had wanted to adapt the novel since he was young, and the discussion reflected his continuing pull toward war stories.
Tsukamoto Shinya said he prefers to work independently rather than become a director for hire.
At a masterclass at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, he discussed his career and his latest film, the English-language feature “Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?”
He said making films with his own material helps him preserve his creative impulse.
Tsukamoto also discussed “Fires on the Plain,” his 2014 independently made war film, which he had wanted to adapt for years.
- Who
- Japanese filmmaker Tsukamoto Shinya.
- What
- He discussed independent filmmaking, his career and his continued interest in war films.
- When
- At a masterclass at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. The event date is not stated.
- Where
- The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival in Tokyo.
- Why
- He said working with his own material helps maintain his creative interest. He said he had long wanted to adapt “Fires on the Plain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tsukamoto released “Tetsuo: The Iron Man,” which brought him attention overseas.
Tsukamoto made the independently produced war film “Fires on the Plain.
Tsukamoto gave a masterclass about his career and latest film.
- Festival
- 39th Tokyo International Film Festival
- Latest film
- Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?” — an English-language feature
- Breakthrough film
- Tetsuo: The Iron Man,” released in 1989
- War film
- Fires on the Plain,” released in 2014
- Filming locations
- Philippines, Okinawa and Saitama Prefecture
1 source
What people are saying
I did receive offers [from studios] but I didn’t want to become a director for hire, I didn’t think that suited me, and there’s certain things you want to do as a filmmaker
You want to be able to play with the material to maintain that interest, that first impulse.
No CG. We had a little bit of tokusatsu [practical special effects] technology at the time but this didn’t use any of that, this used stuff which was thrown out on the street and we basically stuck it on [Taguchi Tomorowo]’s face