It has been announced that the film "Parallel and Vertical" (directed by Kobayashi Seitaro), co-starring Yasuda Shota of the popular group "SUPER EIGHT" and actor and artist Non, will be released on August 28th. Yasuda has been involved in the planning of the film, playing the older brother with autism spectrum disorder, while Non plays the younger sister who is about to get married. Behind-the-scenes photos have also been released.
Yasuda was impressed by the original script by Kai Yamano, who heads the Fukufukuya theatre company and is also active as an actor, and approached his old friend and current producer, Sato, asking, "Could this be made into a film?" This is how the project began. Director Kobayashi, who also resonated with the idea, joined the project, and with the supervision of an expert on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they spent about two years refining the script and finally brought it to fruition.
To prepare for the role of a person with ASD, Yasuda attended numerous lectures from experts, visited educational institutions where students with ASD and other specialties attend, and interacted with the students to deepen his understanding and sincerely prepare for the role. Meanwhile, Non, who plays Nozomi, the younger sister who supports her older brother, was also impressed by the script and readily accepted the offer. She also worked sincerely on her character, having the opportunity to speak with counselors who actually have siblings with disabilities.
The music will be composed by Harumi Fuki, an up-and-coming composer from Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, where the film is set, who has won the Japan Academy Award for Excellence in Music three times, including as the youngest winner to do so, and who will add warmth to the story.
Director Kobayashi gained experience under directors such as Yuji Nakae, Isao Yukisada, Kazuyuki Izutsu, Azuma Morisaki, and Yoshitaro Negishi, and won the 47th Directors Guild of Japan Newcomer Award and the Kaneto Shindo Award for his directorial debut, "The Secret of the Family" (2006). He has produced heartwarming works such as "Everyday Mother" (2011) and "Maestro!" (2015).
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social communication, biases in interests and behavior, and sensory characteristics that persist from early development. Individuals with ASD have diverse intellectual levels, language, and lifestyle challenges, but adaptation can improve with support. The core concept of autism is the diagnosis of the disorder, which manifests as a continuum (spectrum).
The story is about an older brother, Daiki (Yasuda), who has autism spectrum disorder. He works as a cleaner and lives an independent life with the support of those around him. His younger sister, Nozomi (Non), works as a counselor and supports her brother. When Nozomi talks about marriage, the two are forced to face their futures...
Comments from Yasuda, Non, and others are as follows.
◇Comment from Yasuda Shota (role of Daiki)
This film, "Parallel and Perpendicular," is a tale of the gradual coming-of-age of siblings, Daiki, who has autism, and Nozomi, who has typical development, and the people who interact with them as they live with the many true feelings that dwell in their hearts: generosity, harshness, and even indifference. The more desperately people try to live, the more they encounter negativity, affirmation, and ignorance.
I often think this way in my daily life. They just have a name for their illness and have been diagnosed, but there are some typically developing people who are unusual artists, and some people with autism who are no different. Everyone has a clear idea of what they want to communicate, and above all, they are moved by their emotions. They just aren't good at expressing themselves or communicating. It just takes them a little longer.
You hear people say things like, "Normally, it's..." But who defines what is normal?
This is what I feel: "What one person considers normal is abnormal to another" and "What one person considers abnormal is normal to another."
Having opinions is sometimes important, but what's even more important to value is the "passivity toward words and actions that didn't exist within you yet." When that happens, the seeds of new existence sprout. And the world certainly becomes more peaceful with comrades who connect with each other. Each of these experiences gives birth to great realizations in the world. We all desire rapid growth, and we are desired to grow at a rapid pace. Everyone lives life to the fullest, breathing in and out with their chins raised and out of breath. But everyone lives at a different pace. Everyone is just born slightly different. And yet, I feel like we tend to judge others based on a "comforting normal" known as prejudice.
Today, the sun rises and today comes again, and another sun rises and today comes again. We may only grow a little bit each day, but just knowing that someone lives with compassion for others is so heartening and heartwarming, it brings tears to our eyes.
Don't forget, "I'm on your side." I hope that "Parallel and Perpendicular" will spread even a little.
◇Comment from Non (Nozomi)
When I read the script, I was reminded of how Daiki and Nozomi live their lives to the fullest, and it really touched my heart. I'm really happy to be able to take part in this project.
What do you rely on to support yourself as you try to integrate into society? What does Nozomi rely on?
I am filled with gratitude to Yasuda-san. Taiki is amazing, and I was moved every day. I feel like I was able to stand in front of the camera as Nozomi thanks to Yasuda-san. I hope this story reaches many people.
◇Comment from Director Seitaro Kobayashi
It was two years ago that I first encountered Yamano Kai's original scenario, "Parallel and Perpendicular."
On the day the four of us - Yasuda Shota, who came up with the project, Yamano Kai, who wrote the original story and script, and Sato Gen, the producer - met for the first time, we all unconsciously poured out our personal stories and inner thoughts to each other, and I believe that this time became the core of how we created the script that followed. It was a strange and enriching time that rarely comes in life.
The world is becoming increasingly strapped for cash and moving further away from mutual aid, but we have had enough of being swept away by the rough waves of "true feelings" that loudly denounce people's goodness as "hypocrisy," and of boasting that "the only reason for existence is if it is (economically) useful."
I would be extremely happy if this work can help people who are facing various difficulties to walk together, despite their conflicts and frequent squabbles.
"I have decided to go to the sea, and I am filled with dew." (Nariishi Heishiro)
