Yuki Tanada at the 36th Toronto International Film Festival (L), The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky theatrical poster (R) |
by Chris MaGee
“Wow! Three great filmmakers!” Yuki Tanada exclaims when I mention her name
alongside those of Yasujiro Ozu, Mikio Naruse and Kenji Mizoguchi. There are
only a handful of filmmakers like Tanada in Japan today, those whose work so
keenly and unsentimentally examines the inner lives of everyday Japanese. It
seems appropriate then to cite this Holy Trinity of Japanese cinema who so
consistently captured the quiet triumphs, bitter heartbreaks and grinding
struggles of their nation; but what I’m after, here in Tanada’s room at
Toronto’s Hyatt Regency Hotel during the 36th Toronto International
Film Festival, are the names of some non-Japanese filmmakers who have inspired her
work. “The two brothers who make the crazy comedies... The Farrelly Brothers!”
she laughs, “I love them!” A surprising answer, but the 37-year-old writer and
director has spent the past eight years surprising and challenging movie
audiences with her frank depictions of 21st-century Japan. Now,
after a 4-year break from the director’s chair, Tanada has returned with her
most accomplished work to date, The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky.
Based on the award-winning 2010 novel by Misumi Kubo, The Cowards
Who Looked to the Sky begins as a love story, albeit a dysfunctional one. Lonely
housewife Anzu (portrayed by former child actress Tomoko Tabata) and high
school student Takumi (Kento Nagayama) are caught up in a tempestuous affair,
one fueled by Anzu’s obsession with a popular romantic manga. Their cosplay love-making
sessions, in which Anzu adopts the persona of a Princess and Takumi her manga
Prince Charming, lie in stark contrast to their daily lives. Despite costly
medical treatments and excessive pressure from her husband and mother-in-law
Anzu is unable to conceive, leaving her self-esteem in tatters. Conversely
Takumi is constantly exposed to the often messy details of childbearing and
birth by his mother, Sumiko (Mieko Harada), who runs a holistic midwives’
clinic out of their home.
![]() |
Tomoko Tabata and Kento Nagayama as Anzu and Takumi |
“Takumi and Anzu were the most difficult part,” Tanada
admits when discussing bringing Kubo’s novel to the screen, “I really had a concern about how I could deliver
their message to the audience, but in that sequence what I wanted to do is show
that these two characters are looking at the same things, but are also two
people living in different environments.” Still, Anzu and Takumi aren’t the
only “cowards” in Tanada’s film. Soon what started out as a love story moves
into much more complex territory. After a decisive crisis between the two
lovers the narrative branches out to explore the lives of Takumi’s mother and her
pregnant patients as well as Takumi’s good friend, convenience store clerk
Fukuda (Masakata Kubota), who struggles not only with a senile grandmother, but
also with his own mother whose oppressive debt has left Fukuda’s home bankrupt.
Still, it was one the novels most conflicted and ultimately least likable
characters in the original novel who drew Tanada to the project.
“Taoka has very strange sexual preferences,” Tanada acknowledges of
Fukuda’s co-worker at the convenience store, a young man who both helps Fukuda
to study for his University entrance exams while secretly molesting
neighborhood children, “At first my thoughts never went beyond what kind of
pain he caused, but after reading the novel I realized that these people who
have this very negative sexual behaviour have real difficulties trying to blend
into society. They are trying to find a way to get along with society. It was
realizing that I had never thought about those issues that really made me
become attached to this character.” It was just a happy accident that saw both
Tanada and producers at Toei Studios considering an adaptation of Kubo’s novel.
“It was perfect timing,” Tanada says of her chance to tackle characters like
Taoka on the big screen.
Sexuality and odd sexual practices have been a recurring theme in the films
of Yuki Tanada. Her confessed love for the low-brow antics of the Farrelly
Brothers makes sense in light of Tanada’s debut feature film, 2004’s Moon and
Cherry. Ostensibly a sex comedy, the film centers on the relationship between a
virginal male university student who is deflowered by his classmate, an
aspiring author who uses the details of their sexual exploits as fodder for her
fiction. 2008’s Ain’t No Tomorrows would further explore the sexual misadventures
of a group of high school students (including a girl on a sexual fact-finding mission and another who has a fetish for sumo wrestlers); but Tanada isn’t convinced that sexuality
has been a connecting thread in her work. “Actually I never thought that was a
theme to my films. I'm just taking it as a very normal thing. As people living
together, sex is just a part of their lives.”
![]() |
Mieko Harada as Sumiko |
This refreshing matter-of-factness may also be the reason why her work has
featured some of the most fully realized female characters in Japanese film
since, well, the work of the abovementioned and universally praised Naruse and
Mizoguchi. Before working with Tomoko Tabata on The Cowards Who Looked to the
Sky, Tanada regularly teamed with some of Japan’s most talented actresses, such
as Noriko Eguchi (Moon and Cherry), Yu Aoi (One Million Yen Girl) and Sakura
Ando (Ain’t No Tomorrows), to breathe life into her female protagonists. Even
when Tanada wasn’t the one calling the shots behind the camera her depictions
of women ring true. Her 2006 screenplay adaptation of Moyoco Anno’s popular
manga Sakuran, brought to the screen by photographer-cum-director Mika
Ninagawa, perfectly captures its sensual, headstrong heroine, the courtesan
Kiyoha (portrayed by Anna Tsuchiya). So, why has she had such great success
with her female characters? “Because I don't have fantasies about women,” she
bluntly, but politely, states.
The Cowards Who Looked to the Sky will be receiving a theatrical release in
Japan this November, just in advance of Japan’s film awards season next spring.
By then, though, we may not only see Yuki Tanada gaining praise for her
directing, but also for her skills as an author. Her absence from filmmaking since
2008’s Ain’t No Tomorrows was largely due to the fact that Tanada has been hard
at work writing her debut novel. “If I had to describe the novel in one word I
would have to say ‘revenge’,” she says of this new literary venture, “It’s very
dark.” Despite its darkness the book will also delve into some happy memories
from Tanada’s youth. “It also includes a lot about a Japanese matsuri
[festival] that I experienced and that touched me when I was little, so the
festival is part of the story.” There are no plans, at least at the moment, for
Tanada to adapt her own novel to the screen. Her main focus now is simply
meeting her publisher’s deadline. “The first deadline was two years ago!” she
chuckles, “but it is almost completed, so next year it should be out.”
60 comments:
Car Rental MississaugaYou don't have to wait for too long for your car to arrive. Car Rental Toronto
We are happy to announce the arrival of Cinema Mama, the most comprehensive and academic website to understand the Indian Cinema, especially Telugu Cinema
yay! you're back!!
Consumers are turnkey rental more, according to the survey, but the typical rent for a two-bedroom home rose in 89% of those markets to meet the demand. rental properties
I'll go to see this film, seems fit for my appetite.
GW2 New Year Special
From there, the Google research application delivers today?ˉs temperature, your Google Calendar appointments, instructions to home or do the job office for mac home and business 2011 product key (according to what time of day it is), a heads as many as nearby functions, the rating out of your beloved sports team?ˉs latest game, boarding passes, bundle tracking, meal reservations along with a good deal extra.
Good post. I like it. It was interesting to read it. Great thank's author for sharing…
writing-essay.org
The situation HWBot has identified has no impact on stock hardware. It has no influence on BIOS-level overclocking. It has no effect on computer software multiplier adjustments. This challenge is limited to computer software programs that adjust the base clock price (BCLK) on-the-fly, without a reboot. I?ˉve talked to many boutique owners in the past and they?ˉve confirmed windows 7 home premium product key that even among pc enthusiasts, overclocking is pretty rare. Overclocking by BCLK is even rarer for a number of motives ?a but largely because Intel discourages it today and doesn?ˉt enable it to happen save inside a very narrow variety.
Welcome to London’s Leading Ladies Escort Agency, here at this agency we recruit only the creme de la creme hence the name… We only welcome ladies that are discreet, stunning, extremely friendly and of course that enjoy entertaining gentlemen.
High Class Escorts in London UK | Escorts in London UK | Dubai NewYork Escorts London UK | Hookers London UK | Prostitutes in London UK |
I believe that we are not real GW2 Gold Guide social workers. We may be doing social work in the Buy GW2 Gold Guide eyes of the people, but we are really contemplatives in the heart of Guild Wars 2 Guide the world.
Stray birds of summer come to my window to sing GW2 Gold Guide and fly away. And yellow leaves of autumn, which Buy GW2 Gold Guide have no songs, flutter and fall there Guild Wars 2 Guide with a sign.
Information on the fit is excellent enough to improve my information. Paper Writing Services
Thesis Paper Writing
Research Paper Writing
Letter Writing Services
A very informative site. The way you have share this information is really very appreciative. Hope to see more on this topic here. Thanks for posting this information here. Cheap Essays
When compared to Windows 7 Home Premium Product Key, Windows 7 Professional Product Key is outstanding. When will Microsoft ever learn? Keep it simple, attractive, and easy to use. Windows 8 Professional Product Key Most computer users just want the system to work. Windows 7 does this.
Got my old desktop up and running. I got Windows 7 Ultimate Product Key because my desktop used to run on Vista (enough said). http://www.productkeyservice.com I did have a little difficulty SQL Server 2008 Standard Product Key but that was just due to my lack of experience with the process; once I got started, Office 2010 Professional Plus Product Key was as easy as just following prompts.
This blog Is very informative, I am really pleased to post my comment on this blog. It helped me with ocean of knowledge so I really belive you will do much better in the future. Good job
Toronto Airport Taxi
Wow! I had no idea someone can have such love for an onion :)
Cheap Essay
Cheap Proposal Services
Cheap Letter Writing
Cheap Assignment Writing
Cheap Book Report Writing
Excellent work
Toronto Pearson Airport Taxi
Toronto Airport Taxi
Pearson Airport Taxi
cool post sir i really enjoy it. waiting for your new posts.
english movies trailers
english movies top 10
Thanks for give me information on this topic. you have sharing very nice post.
KLEBE BH
I just read the regularly one particular subject material. Beautiful articles or reviews, thank you to suit downloading and sharing an article content with all of us.
hardsten keukenblad
Honestly everyone must appreciate your effort I like your blog you made to share the knowledge. The topic here I found was really useful to the topic which I was researching.
Visit: Online GED Course
You’ve written nice post, I am gonna bookmark this page, thanks for info. I actually appreciate your own position and I will be sure to come back here.
Signature:
Jugar juegos de frozen en línea gratis, los nuevos de princesa de Disney juegos frozen - la princesa encantadora y linda. Divertirse frozen!
Every successful person must have a failure. Do not be afraid to fail because failure is a part of success.
Signature:
download descargar facebook gratis para Android celular and download free descargar facebook apk en español, descargar facebook plus , descarga facebook
Thank you for your post, I look for such article along time, today i find it finally. this post give me lots of advise it is very useful for me
Signature:
download free descargar whatsapp gratis and download baixar whatsapp gratis online and descargar whatsapp , baixar whatsapp
Very useful article. Very interesting to read this article. I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. Pune call girls
You need to kill time, you need entertainment. Refer to our website. hope you get the most comfort.
Thanks you for sharing!
Friv 4
Our independent Pune escort girls mostly belong to upmarket and educated society and we guarantee their decent upbringing. So finding your dating partner as unsophisticated in behavior or doing crazy things in a restaurant is something that never happens with our girls.
Escorts Service Pune
Call Girls Pune
Pune Escorts Agency
When you're tired, you want to relax after a stressful working hours, you need to have time to take care of the kids active.
Please visit our website and play exciting flash games.
Thanks you for sharing!
Friv 4
it’s very amazing. Thanks for it.
plastik rögar kapağı
thanks for it. Cool! kaya presiyometre deneyi
Play the Best Free Games! We've picked out the racing games, cooking games, candy crush, games shooting, fashion games, ...
Thanks for sharing !
Kizi 200
Friv 1
Y88
Y9
It was another joy to see your post. It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues. Great stuff as usual...
Toronto branded content creator
Chandigarh Escorts Service
Call Girls in Chandigarh
Call Girls in Delhi
Welcome to the Hot Mumbai Call Girls, the elite attractions in the top city events. If you have ever joined a VIP event, night big parties in Mumbai you know the quality of model girls attending the function. We are one of the hottest and demanding escort service while it comes to the quality, popularity and satisfactory. We are primarily contracts to the great parties, function, and meetings. Our Call Girls in Mumbai worked hard to maintain a high profile status among the city escort agencies. Our Models provide a new sensation to the parties. Being fresh like an ocean they make you taste the love like deepness of ocean.
Call girl mumbai escorts
Independent mumbai escorts
juhu call girl
escorts girl in mumbai
russian mumbai escort
sexy escorts in mumbai
hot mumbai escorts
Ankara'nın en iyi broşür dağıtım şirketi olan
ankara broşür dağıtım hizmette
sinir tanimiyor...
Call Girls in Chandigarh
Escort Service Chandigarh
Ludhiana Escorts
Ludhiana Call Girls
pakistani talent
must watchpakistani talent
must watchpakistani talent
must watchpakistani talent
must watch
سنعمل جاهدين لإضافة متل هذه الالعاب الجميلة بشكل يومي من الان فصاعدا لهذا سنكون سعداء بزيارتكم لنا مجددا للعب المزيد من الالعاب التي تضاف يوميا الى موقعنا الدي يحتوي على افضل العاب تلبيس بنات .......
düğün dans kursu
http://www.dugun-dans-kursu.com
Ahmedabad Escorts | Escorts in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad escorts service | Independent escorts in Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad Escorts Agency
your posts are impressive...add more information.
Call Girls In Vadodara Escorts
Escorts in vadodara gallery
Vadodara escorts
Gallery in Vadodara Escorts
Independent Escorts in Vadodara
Vadodara escorts in gallery
your posts are impressive...add more information.
لعبة قص اظافر وتزيينها
لعبة بنات طبخ مع السا الحامل
لعبة معالجة ايلزا
لعبة بنات ميك اب حقيقي
لعبة مكياج بنت في شاطئ
Super Smash Flash 4
Legend is on our side with a new update to Super Smash Flash 4 a fighting game that everyone knows. More fun and more challenging sections await you, moreover, Super Smash Flash version 4 has been developed as much as graphics in the section. Super Smash Flash 4 is your opponent and you look forward to it.
Such a nice blog to read. The acupuncture treatment help you to stress reduction and pain relief management from neck and back pain, headaches and migraine headaches etc..
Best Acupuncture Doctor In Chennai
Ankara merkezli etkili sunum teknikleri
sunan Haluk GÖKŞEN arı kovanı
eğitimi ile sistematik bir yapı sunuyor.
Dharma Ransomwarethis post will give all the necessary information on what is Ransomware and how can one remove any kind of malware virus from the computer.
شركة امست لمكافحة الحشرات بالخبر
شركة رش مبيدات بالدمام
شركة رش مبيدات بالخبر
شركة رش مبيدات بالظهران
شركة رش دفان بالدمام
شركة رش دفان بالخبر
شركة رش دفان بالظهران
Welcome to Call Girls in Pune and Female Escorts Pune the escorts with the finest capacities of reverence making. We have Female Escorts In Pune and Pune Independent Escorts that can go to your region inside the hour with quiet reservation process for your advantage Our Pune call Girls and Pune Female Escorts can make anyone happy in light of the way that we are available throughout the day, consistently.
More Details- http://www.ruchitasinha.com/
You kill a giant, vicious mutated gator and decided the best mode of transportation is to get in the water on tiny row boats? People! We are talking about a gator that is on steroids and has severe roid rage! This place is a swamp! watch movies online pro
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
pune escorts
Visit Us For Hot Fun With Naked Porn pune escorts From us Amazing Penis Tight With Our Viagra
Post a Comment