Aso Kumiko goes international: first stop, Iran
Posted on Monday, 10 September 2007 at 3:29 pm
Right now, male Japanese actors are in greater demand overseas than ever before - Watanabe Ken and Sanada Hiroyuki have used Hollywood to revitalise their careers in middle-age, while Asano Tadanobu’s status as a darling of the international festival circuit is consolidated by the patronage of several foreign directors - but what about the ladies?
Kikuchi Rinko is riding high on the buzz created by her “Babel” role and will be rubbing shoulders with Adrien Brody and Rachel Weisz in “The Brothers Bloom”, Kitagawa Keiko similarly jump-started her domestic acting career with a bit part in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift”, Kimura Yoshino (together with her reported boyfriend Iseya Yusuke) has been tapped for Fernando Meirelles’ big-budget Oscar bait “Blindness”, and Koyuki will be seen in both “Blood: The Last Vampire” and John Woo’s “Red Cliff” in 2008, but none of these actresses enjoy the level of recognition or career stability yet outside of Japan that their male compatriots do. The casting of Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li in “Memoirs of a Geisha” is the most obvious proof of that, and then there’s the sad reality check that Kuriyama Chiaki’s triumphant return to international cinema after her star-making turn in “Kill Bill: Vol. 1″ was a pared-down cameo in Steven Seagal’s “Into the Sun“…
Not to cast aspersions on the names mentioned above, but most of the real talent remains at home, relatively unnoticed by the rest of the world. Despite being one of the best Japanese actresses working today, Aso Kumiko hasn’t become quite a household name in her own country but has steadily built a solid reputation through her lengthy filmography. Since her debut in Aikawa Sho’s first directorial effort “Bad Guy Beach”, she’s established herself as a familiar face on the big screen but has generally shied away from television work, hence preventing her from gaining a greater public profile. Up until now she’s been best known for her dramatic roles in films, so it’s ironic that she’s currently experiencing a surge in popularity for a rare comedic role in a television series, Miki Satoshi’s “Jiko Keisatsu”, alongside Odagiri Joe. Now Aso’s making her first foray into international territory with Iranian film “Hafez” (Hafezu: Perusha no Uta), inspired by the legendary Persian poet of the same name. This will be her first appearance in a foreign film, unless you count her part in Imamura Shohei’s contribution to the anthology film “11‘09“01″.
A young man named Shamsadin (Mehdi Moradi) receives the title of Hafez, bestowed only on those who memorise the Koran, and is sent to teach it to Nabat (Aso), the overseas-raised daughter of a religious leader. Although they never see each other’s faces, feelings of love grow between them as they read the holy book. Unable to contain his feelings for Nabat, Hafez breaks his vows as a holy man by composing a poem to her, and is thrown out of her father’s house and forced to relinquish his title. Then Nabat is forced to marry another man. Will the two ever be able to meet again…?
Iranian director and former Tokyo Filmex juror Abolfazl Jalili (”Dance of Dust”, “The First Letter”, “Full or Empty”) has been working on the project for several years, and has utilized his Japanese connections to secure distribution through Bitters End. “Hafez” opens early next year at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography Hall. (sources: Cinema Cafe, Cinematopics, Big Soccer)
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posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
[...] Aso Kumiko Cast in Iranian Movie ‘Hafez’ Japan // Ryuganji [...]
comment by logboy
posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
i know it’s not japan, but my favourite HK actor anthony wong is cast in the third ‘mummy’ film. :)
comment by don
posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
You’ve got a point there Aceface, but they’re usually all one-offs too - I can’t think of any recent Japanese actress who’s managed to appear in more than one. That reminds me of that dodgy Tokyo Raiders (東京攻略) movie with Ozawa Maju, Shibasaki Ko and Endo Kumiko (whatever happened to her?….).
We need a third Mummy film like Anthony Wong needs to do another “Raped By An Angel”. Or a Mummy sequel.
comment by logboy
posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
you’re right, no more mummy films needed, but anthony wong in a mainstream action movie hollywood stylie… worth seeing.
comment by Aceface
posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
“but they’re usually all one-offs too - I can’t think of any recent Japanese actress who’s managed to appear in more than one. ”
Miyazawa Rie and Tokiwa Takako?I think they showed up in HK/Taiwan production more than once,perhaps two.
Annie Shizuka Inou and Fueki Yuko(Yumin)?
Hou Shao Sheng movie heroine,Annie Shizuka Inou伊能静 is a 100% ethnic Chinese and the origin of her Japanese name comes from her Japanese step father who is not biologically related.Somehow she(and the production company she belongs)thought she can be a girl-Kaneshiro Takeshi in persuading her carrer in Taiwanese showbiz.
While Fueki Yuko(笛木優子）who is to my understanding a 100% Japanese,had settled to Korea couple years ago and debut as disguised Zainichi-Korean,Yumin.She is still Yumin in Korea after that disguise was uncovered(and had bashing for a while).
She seems to be chose to work in Japan now though.
I think these cases tell you an interesting difference between Japan’s two former colonies.
comment by don
posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
You’re right - Tokiwa Takako was in “Moonlight Express” and “Fighters Blues”, and Miyazawa Rie was in “The Cabbie” and “Peony Pavilion”. I guess what I was trying to say was that established Japanese actresses (i.e. those who already have a filmography in Japan to some extent) rarely manage more than one or two appearances in foreign films. The only exception I can think of is Kudoh Youki, who I neglected to mention in my post.
Still, the guys don’t have it that much better. I wonder how much longer Watanabe Ken can maintain his marginal Hollywood profile. Odagiri Joe seems like the most likely candidate to crossover next due to his popularity at home and his English ability, but I haven’t heard any such casting rumours about him yet. Hopefully Sergei Bodrov’s “Mongol” will be a big arthouse success for Asano Tadanobu’s sake.
comment by Aceface
posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
“Mongol” already have some bad reputation in Ulaanbaatar,for portraying Chinghis Khan as a savage figure,a traditonal Russian view,or so says the press there.Although my wife and I admit that Asano is waay better than Sorimachi Takashi for that role.
Can Odagiri speak good English?Haven’t seen “The Big River”so I can’t tell,but I must say his role in Hollywood is quite limited compare to Ken Watanabe,because he can’t play traditional oriental villain.
comment by Aceface
posted on Monday, September 10 2007 at 3:29 pm
I think Japanese actress has more demand in HK and South Korea where there is some fancy illusion toward J-women exists.You see tons of J-women falling in love with local dudes,but not the other way around.
I think there was this joint production with Iran called “The carpet of the Wind” and there was a Japanese girl involving with the film.Haven’t seen it so can’t tell.But this one from Aso looks promising.