Tsutsui Mariko is currently appearing in the TBS Friday drama "Fake Mummy" (Fridays at 10pm), co-starring actors Haru and Rina Kawaei. She plays Hanamura Seiko, the mother of Haru's character Kaoru. Tsutsui shared her impression of Haru and some anecdotes from filming.
◇The heart-warming "idea of family"
The drama is a serial adaptation of the winning work by Sonomura Mitsuru, who won the grand prize at the first TBS NEXT WRITERS CHALLENGE screenplay competition. After suddenly quitting her job and struggling to find a new one, Hanamura Kaoru meets Hidaka Mamie (Kawaei), the company's president and single mother, at an interview with the venture company RAINBOWLAB. Mamie asks Hanamura to act as a substitute for her daughter Iroha (Ikemura Aoi), who is applying to a prestigious private elementary school...
-What was your impression when you read the script?
As the story progressed, I couldn't wait for the next development. There was a sense of danger and I was on edge, wondering "What will happen next?" Another thing I felt was that in an age where family is not just about blood ties, I was quietly moved by the "idea of family" depicted in this work. What is the form of happiness that transcends blood ties? It made me think about such things. It is a modern theme, and perhaps a universal one.
I have an acquaintance who says, "It's painful to have an ideal family image forced upon me," and I felt that this drama would provide gentle comfort to people like me.
-What kind of preparations did you make to play the role of Hanamura Seiko?
Seiko is set to have colon cancer, so I researched the side effects of anti-cancer drugs. When I heard from the supervisor that "the first time you take it, you get nauseous and throw up multiple times," I thought that would make her lose weight, and although it varies from person to person, the color of her skin also changes, so I discussed with the makeup artist and made adjustments to make it look like Seiko.
The scenes I'm in aren't necessarily filmed in chronological order, so I took detailed notes to note the stage of my condition at each point, such as "this part looks thin" or "this part looks a little haggard." I try to carefully adjust my weight and facial expressions, among other things, so that the images flow naturally as part of the story. However, I also feel that these efforts are meaningless if they end up looking like I'm trying too hard. I feel that it's important to blend into the story as if nothing is wrong on screen.
--Maternal love and complex emotions are also major themes.
Seiko is the type of person who imposes her own values on her daughter out of love. However, she herself is hardly aware of this. Everything comes from "love," so I am trying to play that part delicately and softly.
--You are also a proud mother of a daughter who graduated from Tokyo University and works for a top company. How was it acting in this role?
I'm sure Kaoru was an excellent student from a young age and did well. I imagine her mother would have been the type to provide midnight snacks for her tutor and take good care of him. It's fun to play her.
Haru gives off a "clever and calm impression" and her "enzyme brown rice" is a hot topic
--How do you communicate with Haru when playing the roles of parent and child? Please also tell us your impressions of her.
I had worked with Haru-chan before on a variety show, and even then I had the impression that she was very clever and calm. Because I thought she would be perfect for the role of Kaoru, I didn't get too familiar with her at first, but rather wanted to enjoy the chemistry between us while feeling the aura she exudes. As filming progressed, a warm sense of distance between us as parent and child naturally developed, and in between shoots she even taught me how to cook "enzyme brown rice" (laughs).
Her facial expressions are clear, and her emotions are quietly apparent. She conveys her emotions without exaggerating. I haven't told her this, but I felt she was very calm and had a wonderful sense of balance.
-How do you personally view the relationship between the two of you?
Kaoru lost her father when she was a student, and since then, I felt that the mother and daughter had supported each other throughout their lives, so I used the phrase "alone together" as a keyword when I played the role. However, when they had conflicts, they clashed over the fact that they were "alone" and could not speak their true feelings to each other. Kaoru's confession (that she was acting as a fake mother) was so unrealistic that in the midst of her confusion, Seiko could only say, "Get out."
Seiko is someone who sometimes supports Kaoru, and sometimes says too much and puts pressure on her, but I think she also felt like she wanted to "go and cut ties with Mamie!" for her daughter's sake. She thought, "You can do it," so she wondered whether to say the line, "Go and cut ties with Mamie," and actually consulted the director about it. I think that confession scene made the emotions between mother and daughter very complicated.
- Kawaei-san, how was it working with Koji Mukai, who plays Kuroki Ryuma?
Kawaei-san is someone who can convey her feelings very directly. She's honest and straightforward. Her facial expressions are powerful and her emotional energy reaches you directly. There is a scene that depicts the change in Seiko's heart as she begins to trust Momi, but because it's a drama, the development to the change in her feelings is quick. But I thought that Kawaei-san would naturally take my feelings in that direction too. When we actually acted together, I really felt that "persuasiveness" in her character.
Haru is a very honest actor, who delicately exudes the nuances and fluctuations of the heart. Kawaei's emotions seem to just pop out from the depths of her heart. Both are truly charming, and I think they have different types of "straightforwardness."
Mukai-san is a very cheerful and mood-maker, who naturally brightens up the people around him. His character lightens up the atmosphere, but he is just like that in person. He has excellent communication skills and always creates a positive atmosphere on set. However, at unexpected moments, he has a very sensitive and somewhat lonely gaze, and the contrast makes my heart skip a beat. He even gave me a wonderful present for my birthday, and I thought, "I want him to become my son-in-law!" (laughs).
Everyone carried their respective roles firmly on their shoulders, and their charm blended naturally into the work. That's why I, too, felt like I just had to be there as Seiko. I'm very grateful to be on set where I could respond to others effortlessly. Once again, I'm really glad I was able to take part in this production.
-Finally, please tell us what the highlights of episode 8 are and your message to the viewers.
The relationship between mother and daughter deepens, so I hope viewers will carefully watch the process of how they come to understand each other. Even though they clash with each other, they still come to understand each other. I hope that this realistic relationship can be conveyed to viewers.
I also want people to pay attention to the people who watch over Kaoru. Seiko wasn't able to create a "community where she felt warmth" for her daughter, but now Kaoru has people who support her. I hope that the sense of security that was previously zero will gradually increase, and that the warm relationship between Mamie, Iroha, Ryoma, and the others will be conveyed.
It's not quite a cheer, but the "feeling that things aren't going well" is realistic and sad, which is good (laughs). Please look forward to it.
