eiga.com got an exclusive interview with Horikita Maki (21), the starring actress of the upcoming movie adaption of Higashino Keigo's "Byakuyako" and met her at the former residence of Kachou no Miya in Kamakura, Kanagawa. Horikita is portraying the role of Karasawa Yukiho that already got brought to life on the TV screen by Ayase Haruka on TBS in the dorama adaption back in 2006.
The original long mystery novel already got released in 1999 and sold over 1.8 million copies. Yukiho is a very beautiful woman who eventually ends up losing any hesitation in tricking other people into great misfortune due to some murders that happened during her childhood. At the day of the interview they were filming a freshman party for the new members at the social dance club. Yukiho joined this club in order to get closer to Shinozuka (played by Kyo Nobuo), a senior at college and son of a distinguished family owning a major pharmaceutical company.
Kachou Hironobu established the Kachou no Miya in 1929 and in 2006 it became a national tangible cultural property. It provides a great location for films, but the general public is able to check out the outdoor garden potion as well. Horikita and her friend Midori Yurie (19), who also plays the best friend of Yukiho in the film, appeared on the set wearing some nice afternoon dresses.
They filmed various scenes like Eriko (Midori) looking after Yukiho. Midori doesn't yet seem to be used to be all dressed up and still looked a bit unsteady on her feet. Overall the filming happened in a very relaxed atmosphere and when a Japanese nightingale suddenly decided to disturb the filming with a song, both of them just smiled at each other. Horikita is said to be a big fan of the original novel and had some thorough discussion with director Fukagawa Yoshihiro prior to the filming. "We talked a lot about Yukiho and Ryoji (played by Kora Kengo). The director listened to my subjective opinions about the roles and I listened to his objective opinions. I'm looking forward to what kind of movie it will become." She spoke about the trust between Fukagawa and her.
She also talked about the role itself, her first ever role as a wicked woman. "There are a lot of things within the 30 years of her life we can't portray in the movie. It's really difficult to convey her mental state with so many years missing in between. You always worry whether it was right to portray her emotions like that and what would be the right way to make it an interesting story." While talking about the role and the new challenge that is coming with it, it became pretty obvious that Horikita is sincerely trying to put in her best efforts.
What's the difference when playing a wicked woman compared to the roles she usually played so far? – "Up until now I always tried to made people laugh and raise their spirits with my play, but this time I can't think that way. This isn't a movie with the intention to make you feel happy, you are supposed to feel sad after watching it. I'm playing this role with the thoughts of making you feel down at the end." She said with great ambition and resolution.
Besides Kanagawa the filming will also take place in Chiba, Tokyo, Nagano and several other places. They plan to wrap up the filming by the end of June. Not mentioned above but also appearing in the movie are Funakoshi Eiichiro, Toda Keiko, Tanaka Tetsushi and more. WOWOW Films and GAGA plan to release the movie sometime in spring 2011.
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Written by: KawaiiJoyuu
Sources: eiga.com
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Hontouni arigatou, HPriest! Wow, I’m impressed by Maki putting a lot of thought into this role and questioninng whether Yukiho should behave this way or that. Ganbatte nee, Mak-chan!
Again, thank you, HPriest!
Ganbatte nee, Maki-chan!I do not like her clothes in the photo, but still has a lot more mature air
THANK YOU for translating!!!