Actor Kamiki Ryunosuke stars in the October TBS Sunday Theatre production of "Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea" (Sundays at 9pm). The story is about love, friendship and family, set in Hashima Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, which developed through coal mining from the beginning of the Meiji era to the postwar high economic growth period, and in modern-day Tokyo. Ikeda Elaiza plays Lina, a mysterious woman who suddenly appears on Hashima Island, where the main character Teppei (Kamiki) lives, as if fleeing somewhere. We spoke to Ikeda about her enthusiasm for the film.
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The story is entertainment that depicts the contrast between the postwar reconstruction period to the high economic growth period, "an era when there was nothing but dreams and was full of vitality," and the contemporary era, "an era when at first glance there seems to be everything but young people cannot have dreams." This is a notable work by the "Unnatural" team of screenwriter Nogi Akiko, director Tsukahara Ayuko, and producer Arai Junko.
--Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen to appear in the film.
My father was from Takashima, next to Hashima, and my grandfather was also a miner, so I felt it was fate. I never had the chance to hear my grandfather talk about his time as a miner, but my father did go to Hashima, so I feel a little closer to him. The character I play, Lina, is not from Hashima, but I feel a connection to her. I feel like I am able to relive the era my grandfather lived in through this work, and I think it will be a happy experience for me personally.
--What is the appeal of the character of Lina?
She is set to be mysterious, but I don't think she is a nervous or scary woman. She is very observant of people, attentive to them, and I think she can show a variety of expressions, such as laughing. Although Lina seems to be carrying something inside her, she has the strength and tolerance to never give up on life. I really like how she sometimes shows a strong, philosophical will. You can see Lina's personality between the lines, and when the other person is talking, not me, I feel her heart moving as I play the role.
--Is there anything in common with you?
If I had an experience like Lina's, I don't know if I would be able to act in the same way. She is a character who has experienced something so unimaginable. I can't say that it's easy to understand that part, but I can sympathize with her attitude of trying to understand the pain of others through her own pain, and I think it's wonderful.
--What is your impression of the main actor, Kamiki?
My impression of him hasn't changed since we worked together and after meeting him. He's a very frank person, and sometimes you can see his geeky, obsessive side (laughs). We're of similar generations, so recently we've been talking about our favorite games and manga. The atmosphere on set is so friendly because Kamiki is always entertaining us.
The main actor, Kamiki, has the hardest time, and he's always on screen and running around, so I'm grateful that he always seems to be having fun, even when he's overwhelmed with his own concerns. Thanks to that, I'm able to be on set feeling like I'm part of Hashima's childhood friends, just like Lina's character.
--What about the other co-stars?
I've filmed with (Tsuchiya) Tao many times, and every time I see her detailed acting, I feel like "Oh, so that's how she interprets things," and it's fun to see her acting change. Tao is a year older than me, but I sometimes feel a strong attachment for her.
Shimizu (Hiroya)-kun and I worked together before, playing the role of the younger brother, and he used to call me "big sister, big sister." It's been a while since we last met, and I wondered what it would be like, but he greeted me with a stiff "It's been a while." I laughed because I thought we'd reset our friendship (before that time). I'm looking forward to working with the other actors in the future!
--It seems like location shooting is being done in various places for this film.
We're filming on the seashore, and when you have the sea in front of you, you realize that there has always been a horizon in every era. It made me very emotional to think that people have been living alongside this scenery for a long time. When I see myself on the monitor standing in a kimono in front of the horizon, I get the strange feeling that I've traveled back in time.
I'm also really looking forward to filming on set. We're all working together at various filming locations to make Nogi (Akiko)'s wonderful script even more three-dimensional.
--Please give us a message to wrap things up.
Everyone involved in making the drama is doing their best to work delicately, carefully, and boldly so that as many messages as possible can reach the hearts of as many people as possible. I think the messages that people receive are different, but I hope we can deliver at least one thing.
