Six Questions for... Reiko Ohashi

Thus far in our continuing feature, Six Questions for..., we have limited our survey to some of the bigger names of Japanese indie film. As we continue in the coming weeks and months we will also be speaking with some up-and-coming filmmaking talent, directors we think you should know about and keep an eye on in years to come. One of these is Reiko Ohashi, the 31-year-old Fukuoka-born director of of the 2010 feature "Door to the Sea" (read Marc Saint-Cur's review of the film here). A lyrical drama about a relationship between a university student and a young freeter, "Door to the Sea" was Ohashi's graduating project from the Tokyo University of the Arts Film Program. The program, whose instructors include famed director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, has produced some of the most interesting work in Japan's independent scene. Ohashi was invited to present "Door to the Sea" to German audiences at the 11th annual Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival this past spring in Frankfurt, where it was honoured with a Special mention Award from the Nippon Visions jury. We were very happy to get a chance to ask Ohashi our bi-weekly survey. CM


1. What movie inspired you to become a film-maker? What was it about the movie that was inspiring?

I think that my starting point is when I was 15 years old, I got this aggressive concept of transience from watching “Typhoon Club” by Shinji Somai and also I felt disturbed by a feeling of a swelling of the particles of the world from watching “August in the Water” by Sogo Ishii. And also I am always inspired by the eloquence of the silent films from 1920 to 1930, and the cruelty of Yasujiro Ozu films.


2.　Is there someone you always wanted to work with on a project, but have never had the chance?

Trent Reznor


3.　Please finish this statement : If I had not become a film-maker I would probably be a...

Taxi driver


4.　Which three people (besides film-makers) have had the biggest influence on you?

Moto Hagio (manga writer)
Beethoven
My uncle, who wanted to be a painter. He died young and never got the chance.


5.　Which is your favorite book? Why is it your favorite?

The Bible because it has everything that we need to read: myth, poetry, tragedy, violence, etc.


6. What moment in your career has made you most proud so far?

When an unexpected thing happens in front of camera.


Translation by Chikako Hirao Evans/ Photography by Nicholas Vroman