Actors Ryohei Suzuki and Kasumi Arimura star together for the first time as siblings in the film "Hanamanma" (directed by Maeda Tetsu). Suzuki plays Toshiki, the older brother who continues to protect his younger sister, keeping in his heart a promise to his late father, while Arimura plays Fumiko, the younger sister who has memories of another woman since childhood. Set in Higashi-Osaka, the film is about the feelings of these two Kansai natives as they approached the film, and their thoughts on the importance of siblings.
◇ "I want to show the good things about Kansai people" - what I felt after reading the script
--The film is based on a collection of short stories by Akekawa Minato, winner of the 133rd Naoki Prize. What were your thoughts when you received the offer to play the role and read the script?
Suzuki: I thought it was a good story. That's the best thing. It's a well-thought-out and interesting story, and the plot twists are all resolved, leading to a touching story in the end. I was looking forward to acting in the local language for the first time in a while in a story set in Kansai. I wanted to convey the good points of Kansai people without exaggerating, and to convey the feeling of a real brother and sister relationship.
Arimura: I thought it was a good script and a good story. I especially liked the way it made me laugh. It had been a while since I'd come across a family story, and I've always liked family stories, but it also had a warm Kansai feel to it, and each character was well-developed, so it was a fun book to read.
-- Suzuki-san has an older brother and sister, and Arimura-san has an older sister. Were there any parts of the role that were easier to play because you actually have siblings?
Suzuki: If I didn't actually have a sister, I might have doted on her and called her "little sister!" I acted while thinking, "No one would do something like this," and I think there is a sense of distance that only siblings can have.
Arimura: I can go out with my sister and give her clothes as presents, but if it was my brother, I wouldn't be in touch with him that often. I wouldn't see him as often. I acted while thinking about what it would be like if I had an older brother of the opposite sex.
--Is there a moment or episode in your real life when you realized it was good to have a sibling?
Suzuki: I have an older brother who is two years older than me, but he was shy and cried when he started elementary school. I watched him and just followed in his footsteps, so it was easy for me. When I started elementary school, I was able to get along with my brother's friends, and looking back, I think school life was easy.
Arimura: Whenever we have time, we go back and forth between each other's houses, have tea, and talk about silly things. She's a different kind of person to talk to than a friend, and she accepts whatever I say. I think there's something about that that only sisters can have.
--This time you played brother and sister, but if you had the opportunity to co-star again, what kind of role would you like to play?
Suzuki-san: They hate each other and fight... Maybe it's a spy couple. I've heard that before (laughs).
Arimura: If I could do "Maison Ikkoku," I'd definitely like to do it.
Suzuki-san, I'm already 42 years old (laughs).
◇ Co-starring with a "legendary" comedy duo "I think it's a once in a lifetime experience"
--All Hanshin and All Kyojin are appearing in the movie. How was it acting alongside these "legends" who have won the "Kamigata Manzai Award" four times, the most in history?
Arimura: I think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. He's been a legend since I was little, and I've always watched him on TV, so his spirit of service was amazing. We didn't have many scenes together, but he was able to film his gags in front of the making-of camera (laughs). It was a lot of fun.
Suzuki-san: I think he has unwavering consideration for people, courtesy, and other things. He has power and tolerance. He's a big name, but I didn't feel nervous. He's like an old man who's been there since I was a child and has always done gags. I felt at ease because he's familiar to me.
--The film is filled with a variety of themes, such as sibling love, family love, and marriage. What message do you two want to convey through the film?
Suzuki: This story is touching in many ways, but I think it's a story about life. I would like people who have lost a loved one or have had a child to watch it. It's a story about the love between siblings, but there is a deeper theme hidden behind it, so I would be happy if you could enter the world of Hanamanma.
Arimura: Because it's a story about the lives of many different people, I think each viewer will have different feelings about which character they can empathize with, but I think it will resonate with people of all ages and both men and women. I would be happy if people think of their loved ones after watching the movie.
