A press conference featuring a special screening of “About the Pink Sky,” this year’s winner of the Best Picture Award in the Japanese Eyes section at the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), was held November 8, 2011, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ). Prior to the screening, Tom Yoda, TIFF Chairman, summarized this year’s TIFF and gave a congratulatory speech. Following the screening, Yoshi Yatabe, TIFF programming director, described this year’s Japanese Eyes section and Keiichi Kobayashi, Director of “About the Pink Sky,” and members of the film’s cast offered words of appreciation. The 24th TIFF was held October 22 30, 2011, at Roppongi Hills and other venues in Tokyo.
Notes and Quotes from the Press Conference
Tom Yoda, Chairman of the 24th TIFF ： This year’s Tokyo International Film Festival was as successful as we could have wished—actually, even more successful—and I thank you for all of your support. Next year, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of TIFF. We have supported young filmmakers since the beginning and created the Japanese Eyes section to further support young Japanese talent. This year in Japanese Eyes section, “About the Pink Sky” won the Best Picture Award. This very unique film has impressed many filmmakers. I always appreciate the FCCJ and everybody’s support. Please enjoy the film tonight.
Yoshi Yatabe, Programming Director ： The Japanese Eyes section was established with the aim of introducing independent, low budget, Japanese films by young directors to the overseas market. I would like to mention that we also financially support the making of English subtitles so that young talent in Japan can present their films at international film festivals and release them in theaters overseas. Last year, the winner of the Best Picture Award was invited to many film festivals, including the Rotterdam film festival. The film also was released in theaters in the U.S. and Europe.
Guest Speakers from the film “About the Pink Sky” (Japanese Eyes Section)
Q：The beginning of the film states, “in 2035,” however, the story takes place today. Please tell me why. Also, please tell me why you did not color the last smoke pink.
Keiichi Kobayashi (Director): in 2035, Izumi is looking back on her high school days, so it is like a letter from the future. I made the film in black and white because I wanted to express how the present becomes the past instantly. Also if you look at the world from a different perspective, it looks different. I did not color the last smoke pink because it would have been too obvious. So I made the film in black and white.
Q: All of the actors and actresses are as well as high school students in real life. I was wondering if, while reading the script, you thought that it was written about your own lives. Or did you feel it was different from the life of a real high school student?
Ai Ikeda (Actress): The way Izumi talks is rather vulgar and nothing like how I talk. So I started talking as she does. Also, the director taught me about the kinds of music and movies that Izumi would like, so I listened to those kinds of music and watched those kinds of movies.
Ena Koshino (Actress): When you take a closer look, you see Hasumi is actually very honest. In the beginning, however, I could not see her as an honest girl and disliked her.
Reiko Fujiwara (Actress): Kaoru is much calmer than I am, but I was comfortable with the dialogue. The dialogue came from my gut, so I did not think it was difficult.
Tsubasa Takayama (Actor): When I first read the script, I could not internalize the role because he is very different from me. He is rich, likes boys, and is really mature. However as the story progresses, Koki tries to be nice to Izumi and has a childish part as a high school student, so in that sense, I became used to it.
Director : Keiichi Kobayashi
Producer : Hiroshi Harada
Management : Norihiko Miyazaki
CAST :
Ai Ikeda
Ena Koshino
Reiko Fujiwara
Tsubasa Takayama
Hakusyu Togetsuan
