Behind-the-scenes footage has been released for the film "Beethoven Fabrication" (directed by Kazuaki Seki), which is currently in theaters and is written by comedian Bakarhythm and stars actor Yuki Yamada. A behind-the-scenes video of a scene where Schindler, the self-proclaimed "best friend of Beethoven" played by Yamada, meets Riess, the "overwhelmingly beloved first disciple" played by Yoshihiko Inohara, includes a comment from Inohara.
This live-action film is based on Shiho Kagehara's historical non-fiction book "Beethoven Fabrication: A Famous Producer Lies" (published by Kawade Bunko). The film focuses on the scandal surrounding the alteration of Beethoven's phrasebook by Schindler, who served as Beethoven's secretary and wrote his posthumous biography.
Inohara, who made the surprise announcement at a pre-release party held the day before the film's release, readily agreed to appear in the film, as it was starring Yamada, with whom he had co-starred for many years as a buddy in the drama series "Tokuso9" (TV Asahi). "Even though we only had one scene together, it felt like we'd been together forever, so I was used to it, and he's a kind-hearted person, so he accepted it and it was easy to work with," he recalled.
Inohara plays Beethoven's beloved pupil Ferdinand Ries. The newly released footage shows the making of a scene in which Schindler, who was given dishonorable nicknames and pelted with eggs by Beethoven, nearly faints at Ries' endless "stories about how much Beethoven loved him." Inohara revealed about his role, "I imagined (Ries) to be a naturally lovable person, so instead of bragging or trying to dominate Schindler, he simply talks about fun stories. Yama-chan (Yamada) also said that it would be more painful to hear him talk in a naturally naive way."
After Beethoven's death, Schindler started handing out business cards claiming to be "Beethoven's best friend," raising suspicions among those in the music industry. In contrast, Riess, who cheerfully shares his memories of Beethoven, is not at all unpleasant, and Schindler is completely defeated by Riess, who was truly loved by Beethoven. Yamada and Inohara's perfectly coordinated, polar opposite performances made the set staff burst into laughter.
As Inohara said, "We're telling a story from a long time ago in a frank style that is reminiscent of modern Japan. However, we've paid attention to the details, and it's interesting that we've done it in a modern-day way, so I think it will be fun if you can take a look at the details." Although they only appear on the set for a moment, there are many portraits of Ries and his beloved wife Harriet, played by Ichikawa Saya, hanging around the room, which also expresses the contrast between Ries, who enjoys a "full-life" life, and the lonely Schindler, who devoted his entire life to Beethoven.
This film was shot using cutting-edge virtual production technology, with a 3D CG background displayed on a large LED display and the subject filmed in front of it. This recreates the world of 19th century Vienna without leaving Japan. Furthermore, Beethoven's masterpieces are used throughout the film. The realistic images and Beethoven's masterpieces, combined with the unique sound of a cinema, provide a new cinematic experience that can be enjoyed by both the eyes and the ears.
Furthermore, it has been decided that the film will be officially screened at the Japannual Japanese Film Festival in Vienna, where the film is set, on October 5th.
