‘Kanasando': Heartwarming homecoming inspires a change of heart
Still, seeing the 51-year-old Tadanobu Asano as the dementia-afflicted dad of an adult daughter in Toshiyuki Teruya's heartwarming 'Kanasando' was a shock. Asano rose to international stardom about two decades ago playing volatile, dangerous characters, a prime example being his psychotic gangster in Takashi Miike's 2001 horror 'Ichi the Killer.' His scheming samurai warlord in the hit FX series 'Shogun' also fits this mold.
In his latest feature, Teruya (whose stage name as a comedian and actor is Gori), is only acknowledging the sad fact that dementia can strike even vital types like Asano's character. A former construction company boss living on Iejima island in Okinawa Prefecture, Satoru (Asano) was once a heavy drinker, serial philanderer and possessor of a full head of hair. But when his estranged daughter Mika (Ruka Matsuda) sees him after a gap of seven years, he is in a hospital bed on palliative care and mistakes her for his now dead wife Machiko (Keiko Horiuchi).
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Japan Today
6 days ago
- Japan Today
With ‘F1,' rising star Damson Idris enters Hollywood's fast lane
By LINDSEY BAHR Damson Idris was trying to tune out the noise, but that's a little difficult at a Formula One race. The British-Nigerian actor was in the zone, in character, filming the high-octane summer movie 'F1' with Brad Pitt at some of the world's most famous racetracks. While Idris' profile has been rising in recent years, after six seasons starring in the FX series 'Snowfall,' there's nothing like being next to globally famous Formula One drivers and a Hollywood megastar to put things into perspective. He was pretty sure he was going to coast under the radar. Then he started hearing not just his own name from fans in the crowd but 'Franklin Saint,' too, the name of his drug kingpin character on 'Snowfall.' 'It's funny, because I see myself as a young actor who nobody knows,' Idris, 33, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. Anonymity may already be a thing of the past for Idris, though. In May, he made a splash at the Met Gala, arriving in a full racing suit (branded with 'F1's' fictional team name APXGP) and a Swarovski crystal-studded helmet that he and two ushers removed to reveal a second look underneath. The boldness and theatricality of the stunt made it one of the most talked about moments at an event where everyone is trying to stand out. And things are poised to rev up even more when 'F1' which opened globally on Friday. Speeding into theaters on a wave of great reviews and the promise of a 'Top Gun: Maverick'-style spectacle, filmmaker Joseph Kosinski is pretty sure Idris is going to start hearing people shout 'Joshua Pearce' at him too. That's the name of Idris' character, the hotshot rookie driver of the worst team on the circuit who's desperate to prove himself and hang on to one of the coveted seats. 'I'm very excited for people to see him own this character and go toe to toe with a giant movie star,' Kosinski said. 'I think he can do anything. He's just super talented, and I feel like I'm lucky to see him at the beginning of what's going to be a pretty stratospheric launch.' Idris tries to seek out projects that challenge him and characters who are as different as possible — from each other and, especially, from him. Joshua Pearce fit the bill in a moment when he was preparing to say goodbye to Franklin Saint. After he read the 'F1' script, the character even infiltrated his dreams. 'I said to myself, 'Man, no one's going to be able to play this part like I will.' I remember writing Joe (Kosinski) a letter and telling him that,' Idris said. 'When we finally jumped in the cars for the first time, I was hooked. I was like, 'Yep this movie's mine. It's no one else's and I can't wait to give my all to it.' And that's exactly what I did.' 'F1' wouldn't just require playing a part. Both he and Pitt had to learn how to drive the cars at speeds of up to 180 mph. It took months of training behind the wheel, the supervision of stunt drivers Luciano Bacheta and Craig Dolby, as well as physical training to adapt to the G-forces they'd feel in the car. When it came time to film, which they did with special cameras attached to the cars, sometimes they were driving during breaks at real races with hundreds of thousands of spectators around. Every time you see Idris' or Pitt's face in the car, Kosinski said, they're really driving that car. 'It's so insane. It's actually quicker in real life and it looks really fast on the screen,' Idris said. 'In a split second, a decision could be really detrimental. But I couldn't imagine doing this movie any other way. If it was on green screen, you'd be able to tell.' There's a bit of art-meets-life symmetry wrapped up in 'F1,' in which an up-and-comer teams up with a veteran. In the film, it's a reluctant pairing of two alphas. The mentorship is fraught, the lessons are hard-earned and the competition is not exactly friendly. Unlike Joshua, Idris is more than willing to get advice from those around him, whether it's producers like Jerry Bruckheimer and Jeremy Kleiner, his director Kosinski, or his co-stars, from Pitt to Javier Bardem. 'I speak to them every day and I ask for advice,' he said. 'The main focus is on stories, playing characters that I can be proud of and range. That's everything I'm setting out to do in this career.' Acting was not always the goal for Idris. Like many kids in South London, he once dreamed of being a soccer player. Sure, the idea of being a renowned athlete held some appeal, but he also loved the sheer discipline it required. Then, at age 18, he realized he'd never be as great as Lionel Messi. 'When I see him one day, hopefully I'm blessed to meet him, I'm going to tell him that he's the reason why I quit football, because he was so good,' he said. 'Wonderfully, acting is a subjective industry, so I can at least cheat my way into working with Brad Pitt.' Cheating is, of course, a bit of cheeky hyperbole for an actor who studied drama at university and continued training at London's Identity School of Acting afterward. Since he made his stage debut in Ade Solanke's 'Pandora's Box' over 10 years ago, Idris has been hitting the pavement like the rest of his peers. And he's just getting started. Idris recently wrapped filming the Tomi Adeyemi adaptation 'Children of Bone and Blood' in Cape Town, South Africa. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, Idris plays Prince Inan in the African fantasy that co-stars Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Idris' idol and real-life mentor Idris Elba. 'It's not just a namesake,' Idris said. 'I feel so blessed to be able to say that I'm like his little brother and I can call him and get advice.' Next up, Idris will prepare to portray Miles Davis in Bill Pohlad's 'Miles & Juliette,' about the jazz legend's romance with French singer Juliette Gréco. He's also founded a fine jewelry line, named Didris, inspired by his mother, and is getting into producing as well — his production company has a deal with FX Networks and wants to make opportunities for emerging talents. And like his character in 'F1,' Idris is learning to block out the noise. He knows that a film career is a long journey and there will be ups and downs. 'It's a huge moment, but I'm fortunate to have so many people in my life that keep me grounded,' Idris said. 'I've soaked in information from people I admire who say the same thing during these higher moments: Pinch yourself, stay grounded, remember where you came from. 'That's exactly how I'm walking through this portal and into these next couple of years. I'm excited, I'm humbled, I am blessed and I can't wait to see what the future brings.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
SoraNews24
24-04-2025
- SoraNews24
Enjoy the elegance of Edo at Shogun, Tokyo's new experiential cafe
Cultural crafts, performing arts and regional flavors combine in a tribute to one of the most important periods in Japanese history. Japanese history and culture can be fascinating, with unique aspects like teru teru bozu (a good weather talisman) and the noblewoman's fart-scapegoat role of the heoibikuni. However, if you're anything like me, museums can trigger a catatonic state only cured by copious amounts of ice cream. So, where possible, I try to find more interesting and interactive ways to discover more about Japanese culture. A wonderful example is the new and exciting experiential cafe that just opened in Tokyo called Shogun. ▼ Experience inner peace as you brew your own tea in a tea ceremony at Shogun 'Shogun' was a title given to Japan's highest-ranked military commander, who was the de-facto ruler of the country for a substantial part of Japan's recorded history. Over 400 years ago, Japan was unified, after over a century of warfare, and entered a 'peaceful' time, known as the Edo period (1603-1868). A benefit of this cessation of fighting was the development of culture, and many modern forms of Japan's cultural practices can be attributed to the Edo period. So it's no surprise that this new establishment also offers some traditional cultural experiences that the shogun would have once enjoyed. Of course, activities are not the only thing on the menu. Being a cafe, there's certainly food and drinks to enjoy, but there are even special 'tribute foods.' ▼ Both mochi (sticky rice cakes) and matcha were items often used as a tribute, particularly prized teas from areas like Uji in Kyoto. In the past, communities would often send their local specialities to the center of power as an offering, which also served to promote the local regions. At Shogun, rather than receiving the products, they have turned to selling them, but they also offer collaborative menu items to support local areas. The first featured area of the cafe is Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, where the unifier of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu, spent his youth. Given that his descendant and current head of the Tokugawa family Tokugawa Iehiro is working with the cafe, the chosen area is quite fitting. Hamamatsu's specialties are green tea and blood oranges, and are available at the cafe for a limited time only. ▼ Mochi (glutinous rice cake) with blood orange marmalade (800 yen [US$5.64]) The main menu includes fragrant teas and coffees from various regions, delicious daifuku (rice cake desserts), and artistic nerikiri (a type of 'wagashi', or 'Japanese dessert'). Visitor's will also find a shop offering beautifully crafted wagashi and seasonal traditional items. ▼ Seasonal sweets from 480 yen ▼ Kiriko glassware (intricately cut patterns in colored glass) from 33,000 yen Cultural practices, once enjoyed and studied by the samurai, are reimagined at Shogun to create modern and engaging experiences for visitors to enjoy. These activities come in two 90-minute courses: Martial and Performing Arts Course Iaido Sword Performance – the art of drawing a sword, cutting an opponent and returning the sword to the scabbard in smooth movements Noh Dance – the oldest theater art of classical Japanese dance/drama Kimono Dressing – visitors will have a chance to wear kimonos Arts and Culture Course If visitors want to take part in the courses they will have to prepare 16,500 yen and reserve beforehand through a DM to the Instagram account, linked below. Visitors should also keep in mind that the cafe is entirely cashless with payment being accepted by credit cards, QR codes, or transportation IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.). Shogun, which opened its doors on April 22, is a great place to interact with Japanese culture, as well as to sample local delicacies without having to leave Tokyo. With the featured area changing from time to time, repeat visits are definitely on the table. If you're looking for a hands-on experience of traditional Japanese practices, followed up by sampling delicious treats that would have once been offered up to the most powerful man in the country, Shogun should certainly be on your list of places to visit. Store location Shogun Cafe & Experience Address: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Kita Aoyama 3-6-26 QCube Kita Aoyama 36-biru 1&2F 東京都港区北青山3-6-26 QCcube北青山36ビル 1・2F Open 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Website Related links: Shogun Cafe Instagram Source and images: PR Times ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Japan Times
17-04-2025
- Japan Times
Actor Hiroyuki Sanada among Time's 100 most influential people
Three Japanese people, including actor Hiroyuki Sanada, are among Time's 100 most influential people in the world, according to a list released by the U.S. magazine on Wednesday. The other two Japanese are musician Yoshiki and contemporary artist Yoshitomo Nara. Sanada, 64, known for his role in "Shogun," a Golden Globe-winning television drama series, is "a legend, an actor cut from almost mythic material," the magazine said. Yoshiki, a 59-year-old member of rock band X Japan, is "an artist whose brilliance has transcended borders and genres throughout his 40-plus-year career," the magazine said, adding that he "has continued to break boundaries — not just as a musician, but also as a cultural ambassador." Referring to Nara, 65, known for his drawings of girls with big heads and expressive eyes, the magazine said his work "carries messages that we need to hear, presented in a way we can digest with humor and clarity."
