The final episode of TBS Sunday Theatre's " Diamonds Sleeping in the Sea " (Sunday 9pm) starring Ryunosuke Kamiki Kamiki will be broadcast as a two-hour special on December 22nd. With the final episode approaching, lead actor Kamiki looked back on the five-month long filming and talked about the much-anticipated confession scene, the behind-the-scenes of filming a double role, and the highlights of the final episode.
The drama is a story of love, friendship and family spanning 70 years, set on the island of Hashima (Gunkanjima) in 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. The scriptwriter is Akiko Nogi, the director is Ayuko Tsukahara, and the producer is Arai, the team behind the dramas "Unnatural" and "MIU404" (same series) and the movie "The Last Mile".
◇The confession scene to Asako should be "just as good as Yuriko and Kensho's proposal scene"
--How do you feel now that you've completed five months as the leader of Sunday Theatre?
I still don't feel like it's over. I wonder when I'll be called back to shoot in Shibukawa (Gunma Prefecture) or Izu (Shizuoka Prefecture) again (laughs). I have the feeling that it's gradually ending, but I think it will continue until the broadcast ends. I'm starting to think about giving myself something as a reward for my hard work!
--What is the most memorable scene throughout the film?
It's the scene in episode 1 where Lina (Elaiza Ikeda) sings the Hashima Ondo at Hashima Ginza. Ikeda's singing, of course, and the powerful scene with all the island's extras dancing together gave me energy even during filming, and it was the moment I really felt that this was Hashima. By the way, after that, Teppei and Lina are talking on the hell stage, but the content of their conversation is ad-libbed. In the actual shoot, they exchanged, "What, am I going to do the Bon Odori too? I didn't hear about it!" "Sorry! I've just decided!" No sound was used in the broadcast, but they acted well.
--There was a lot of reaction to the confession scene to Asako (Hana Sugisaki Hana) in episode 6, but I heard that it was Kamiki's suggestion to direct it.
I talked to Director Ayuko Tsukahara and Hana-chan about wanting to make it have a documentary touch, and that idea spread to the other staff members and that scene was created. It's a happy scene between Teppei and Asako, and I wanted to make a scene that was as good as the proposal scene between Yuriko (Tao Tsuchiya) and Kensho (Hiroya Shimizu) that came just before, so I was really happy to receive so many responses!
--You showed us the wonderful differences in your acting between Teppei and Reo, but could you tell us if there was anything you were particularly careful about?
In a scene where Reo is seriously telling Izumi (Nobuko Miyamoto) something, Director Tsukahara said to me, "I think Teppei just came out!", so I was careful not to put too much force into my lines or make my gaze too bright, especially in the first half of the story. Reo is also characterized by not having a core, so in contrast to Teppei who stands powerfully, when I played Reo, I made sure to stand unsteadily in my position. Even so, sometimes I ended up standing normally as Reo... (laughs).
◇ Who supported Ryunosuke Kamiki as he led the group?
--What did you think of the work by screenwriter Akiko Nogi, director Tsukahara, and producer Arai Junko?
There were three guardians who were like guardians who stood firm no matter what, and it was a really cool set. It's hard to express in words how wonderful Nogi-san's script is, but even if you don't search for the character's emotions, the character naturally develops as you face the lines and scenes. The cross and past that are not written in the script are made to look like they are being carried on the shoulders of the characters when they are actually performed. I think it was a script that depicted "living people".
Mr. Arai always makes quick decisions. And because Mr. Arai, who likes having fun, is in charge of organizing the production, I think that directors Ryosuke Fukuda, Keiji Hayashi, and Ryosuke Fukagawa are there and a good filming environment is created.
Director Tsukahara has all the information about the story in his head, and whenever I asked him something I didn't understand, he always answered. When it comes to requests for acting, he leaves infinite possibilities open with simple suggestions, such as "When you see the photo, be shocked." Thanks to that, the actors can explore all the possibilities of acting before the performance, so they can find new things they didn't have before. It was fun every time, and I learned a lot from it.
--Honestly, is there anything that you think helped you do your best?
The staff and cast all got along well, so talking to everyone every day was a great support. I have a habit of messing around on set, but everyone was always laughing and going along with it. There was no tension, and most people were friendly and would tell me funny stories, which saved me. I looked forward to seeing everyone every day when I went there, and especially when I was shooting with Shimizu-kun, who played Kensho, I was motivated just by being able to meet him, even though it took about five hours to get to the location.
--Kamiki-san, who do you think was the mood maker on the set?
Director Fukagawa (Ryosuke) created the atmosphere on set. On any set, if the lead actor goes silly and there's no one to go along with it, it becomes quiet, but this time Director Fukagawa took the initiative to point it out. The actors were able to enjoy the shoot to the fullest thanks to Director Fukagawa's presence. Director Fukuda (Ryosuke) also laughed a lot when I went silly during the dry (checking the acting movements) stage, and got into the groove, saying, "How about doing it like this instead? (laughs)." His suggestions were so outlandish that we had to stop him... and there were fun exchanges like this, but it was an environment where we could act freely.
◇ An exciting final episode! The key word is "the eras are connected"
--What did you think when you found out what happened to Teppei in the final episode?
"I see... but it's Teppei's decision, after all." On social media, Nogi's fans commented, "As expected, Nogi's script is not easy to follow!" Each character, including Teppei and Reo, is carrying some kind of cross, and how will they live out their lives and how will they end up? It's very deep and painful. I thought that was true while I was acting.
--Finally, please give a message to our viewers.
For me, it has become a work that I am really proud of. The staff and cast all said the same thing, and I think it has become a work that will be engraved in our minds. The keyword for the final episode is "the eras are properly connected." All the pieces of the mystery will fit together, and it should end in an unexpected way with a furious development. You will be able to feel that the power and history of Hashima still remain in 2018, where Reo lives, so I hope you will watch until the end!
