Competition Section “Flashback Memories 3D” Press Conference: Notes & Quotes
Date & Time：
October 26th (Friday), from 16:30 @TIFF movie café
Appearance：
Tetsuaki Matsue (Director), GOMA (Didgeridoo Artist), Junji Takane (Producer)
Here are some note and quotes:
Tetsuaki Matsue (TM): GOMA saw this film for the first time at the first screening of this festival. After that there was the ID screening where I received feedback from film critics and today was the third screening. I feel as if this movie has finally been ‘completed’ at the film festival.
GOMA (G): All I feel is thanks and gratitude. Upon seeing this film, I remembered those days when I thought my life was over. After the accident, I just simply couldn’t accept the fact that I was in this accident. Now, three years later, I am grateful for that accident because otherwise I wouldn’t have met all these wonderful people or started to paint. In retrospect, I don’t have a clear memory of how I spent the past three years but it means a lot to me that I am sitting here today.
Junji Takane: I usually make television shows so this is my first trial with a feature film. Also, since we decided to do this in 3D, I couldn’t foresee how this film would turn out. But I’m very happy with the outcome.
Q:How did you create the trust between yourself and GOMA? How was that trust born?
TM: It was during the shooting of the film that I was able to build this trust with GOMA. I first saw him perform after March 11 last year and remember going home that day in sheer excitement. I later contacted GOMA and talked to him about my plans for this film and that’s why we’re here today. I believe that it was GOMA who trusted us in making this film.
G: After the accident I didn’t want to meet people because I was worried about the condition of my brain. I was worried of getting lost in the city or not remembering familiar faces. But it was different with Mr. Matsue—he has such a warm smile! I felt comfortable and relaxed around him and found myself gradually opening up to the world. As the shooting progressed, I began to keep a diary and before I knew it, I had so many thoughts and conversations with people complied. I realized that the words and expressions Mr. Matsue chose were inspirational and resonated in my mind. And it is this deep connection and understanding of each other’s sensibilities that brought about trust between us.
Q:What are your thoughts on having your film in the Competition section?
TM: I’ve had two of my films screened in the Japanese Eyes section at this festival, “Live Tape” and “Tokyo Drifter”. This year, I’m glad to have my film in the Competition section. This festival usually doesn’t select documentaries for the Competition section but I really wanted the selection committee to see this film. I don’t see documentary as a specific genre. That is, a film does not end up as a documentary; rather, a documentary is a means to make a drama or film. In that sense, I’m pleased that the committee has acknowledged this film. I’m simply satisfied that this film got screened twice already.
Q:What were your intentions of embarking this film? Was there any message you wanted to convey?
TM: This film was shot after the earthquake on March 11 when we started to hear terms such as ‘kizuna’ (bonding) and ‘mirai’ (future), important keywords among the Japanese citizens at that time. What I’d like to convey in this film is the significance of grasping the moment and living the moment in order to have a concrete vision about your future. Without the present, there is no future and GOMA proves that to us. He has progressed through his life only because of his past experiences. As I explain this to you in words, I realize that words are approximate and transitory—you can only understand what I’m saying by seeing this film. I ask you to see it and feel the rhythm instead of relying on words.
G: I strongly feel that you never know what awaits you in life. Up until three years ago, I never thought I’d have this accident. But I know now that as long as you keep at it, there’s hope. It’s true I’ve lost a lot but I’m able to smile once again, meet people, visit new places and be a part of this film. As long as you are a human being, regardless of nationality, you can understand the message of this film. I sincerely hope that no matter what hardship life brings you, this film serves as a piece of encouragement.
