17.06.17 Actor・Ohno Satoshi’s aesthetics of “motivation unseen” (Cinematoday)

Working in collaboration with ARASHI・Ohno Satoshi in TV drama and movie “Kaibutsu-kun” (2010・2011) and then “Shinobi no Kuni” (released on 1 July), Director Nakamura Yoshihiro talked about the charm of actor・Ohno Satoshi. The original work is the novel in the same name written by young writer・Wada Ryo, who is well known as history novels such as “Nobou no Shiro” and “Murakami Kaizoku no Musume”. Ohno-san acts the hero Mumon who is the strongest ninja of Iga while behaves like an idle person and who is not strong at all in front of his wife. He also acts in vivid action scenes. This work is about the historical fact “Tensho Iga War” which right before the unification of Japan by Oda Nobunaga, the Oda Army raised a war against Iga no Kuni which had not been invaded by anyone thus far. Having been interested in and looking up topics of ninja from childhood, the Director said that “It is not about visual expression of ninjutsu [secrecy practiced by ninja] practiced instantly when no one comprehends, but it should be seen in real, in timely manner, in detail”, showing full of fun being able to witness the trick of ninjutsu. However the biggest highpoint is the ninja action. Ohno-san will demonstrate the Iga Ninja・strongest skills, the death fight of “Kawa” which during first half and second half change the opponent, with this close fight the strength of physicality of Ohno-san offered a reality to “the strength of Mumon which is beyond human knowledge”. No matter how many times the opponents attacks, Mumon’s movement easily avoids them, the Director looked back that “though there was a vague image, last year when I watched the twisting movement of the hero in “Dead Pool”, ‘If one had Ohno-kun’s power he would be able to perform that’ and every thought was confirmed”. At the same time, “In ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ Vincent Cassel, in the space where laser beams were crossing around, listened to songs with his Walkman and danced to escape and go through the beams, when I watched this scene, ‘Because I want to film with such feeling, anyhow please make your body soft’ and I sent a DVD to [Ohno-san] as reference” he revealed his intention and the materials from which he got hint for this movie which spent him eight years to prepare since the concept came to his mind. Making all the ideas and requests of the director come true, “Because he is Ohno-kun who remembered many dance choreography, with such skills he’d be able to remember the action like that” he was astonished. In contrast to the “Hardness” of Heibee acted by Suzuki Ryohei, Mumon demonstrates “softness”, the way these two people learn about action is also like “Soft and hard”, they both live the characters and the whole movie. What’s more Ohno-kun overlaps with the character of Mumon” the Director analysed. “Overlap with Mumon” is that, “Ohno-kun, between cut and cut he was with su~ch charm that really showed no motivation (giggle). But once we said “official filming!” and the camera started to roll, anyhow he was splendid!! Actually he prepared more than anyone did, but he didn’t let others see such side of seriousness, I think this is the aesthetics of Ohno-kun” he was impressed. Such Ohno-san, it was right before the last scene that the Director could get a glimpse of his serious face. The Director, in his usual tone, talked to Ohno-san “Is the girl next to the Twelve Hyoujyousyuu (Influential persons of Iga) cute?”, and was ignored and he scratched his head. “Uwa, Ohno-kun was also serious, I thought. When he really concentrated to act his character, I disgusted myself ‘such stupid director!’ and at the same time … I was supremely thankful to that Ohno-kun” he recalled with bitter smile. Director Nakamura continued to praise Ohno-san’s charm as actor with “anyway there is no lie in acting”. “In good sense, he appeared in the filming site only with scripts remembered. He entered the filming site without thinking about any unnecessary thing, while fully experiencing the moment the clapperboard sounded, the tone of the actors as co-acts, weather, the situation of setting and location, time, hotness or coldness, he entered the character neutrally. Therefore this was not a lie” he gave a great appreciation to Ohno-san’s acting performance. Director himself highlighted the impressive last scene by speaking joyfully “I was thrilled by the expression showed by Ohno-kun at the end!” Translation request from tumblr @orsa2014. Thanks for asking me for translation. Source: https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0092159