[31st BIFF] "I Can't Forget the Shock"... What Hirokazu Kore-eda Put into 'Rootless' (Comprehensive)

Today (7th), a press conference for the Gala Presentation was held.The film, based on the popular manga of the same name,Director Hirokazu Kore-eda's "After the Storm" was selected for the Gala Presentation at the 31st Busan International Film Festival. The photo shows Ruka Okada, Furi Nanase, Natsuki Deguchi, and Aju Makita, and director Hirokazu Kore-eda (from left) walking the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the "31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)" held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 6th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Ji-yoon] Director Hirokazu Kore-eda has returned to Busan with "After the Storm." He, who cannot forget the shock he felt when he first read the original work, unravels a beautiful story with his unique sensibility, posing another question to the audience.The Gala Presentation of the film "After the Storm" (directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda) was held at the BIFF Hill of the Cinema Center on the morning of the 7th. Director Hirokazu Kore-eda, who directed the film, along with actors Natsuki Deguchi, Aju Makita, Furi Nanase, and Ruka Okada, attended the event and had various conversations with reporters."After the Storm," based on the manga of the same name by Japanese genius manga artist Tatsuki Fujimoto, is a story about the beautiful friendship between two girls connected by their passion for drawing. Following its animation adaptation, which grossed 2.04 billion yen worldwide, it is now meeting audiences again as a live-action film.The Gala Presentation, where "After the Storm" was featured, is a representative section of the film festival that carefully selects and introduces new works by world-renowned directors or the most talked-about films of the year, and allows directors and lead actors to meet the audience directly.Director Hirokazu Kore-eda, who visited Korea for this event, said, "I am happy to be able to come to the film festival with the actors with whom I have shared my work for a long time. The opening ceremony was spectacular, and I was happy that they even made a song with my name." He added, "I have always been invited to the Busan International Film Festival since my debut, so I have a special affection for it, and I am very happy to be able to come back with my work.""After the Storm," which opens on the 8th, is a story about the beautiful friendship between two girls connected by their passion for drawing. /Megabox JoongAng(주)Furi Nanase, who plays the young Fujino, said, "I walked the red carpet at the Venice International Film Festival, but the atmosphere of the Busan International Film Festival red carpet was different. I was nervous because so many people gathered, but it was fun because people waved their hands. It was also nice to see famous people."Aju Makita, who plays Kyomoto, added, "This is my first time at the Busan International Film Festival, and so many people came to the opening ceremony. I had a valuable experience attending the opening ceremony."Director Hirokazu Kore-eda recalled the reason for adapting the popular manga "After the Storm" into a film, drawing attention.He explained, "I can't forget the shock I felt when I accidentally found and read it at a bookstore. It made me question why people write stories, create, and make films, and I thought it was a story about what creators bear." He added, "Through the original work, I was able to face cinema again, and I wanted to express the shock I received at that time through the film."In particular, Director Hirokazu Kore-eda filmed on location for a year in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, the hometown of the original author Tatsuki Fujimoto, and beautifully captured the beloved story with his unique sensibility.Regarding this, he recalled, "The four actors were like my daughters, and the atmosphere on set was comfortable and peaceful." He continued, "Rather than directing in detail, I wanted to carefully capture the moments of the four seasons and the changes in light. I spent happy times living like the people who live in that town."The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which opened on the 6th, will be held until the 15th at the Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-wooHe then explained why he filmed the story of the two girls with a film camera. Director Hirokazu Kore-eda said, "Because it allows me to focus my consciousness on the moment that is happening only here and now." He added, "Although it may increase the tension for the actors, I believe that the tension that is only possible in this moment, when gathered, creates something on set. I believe this is captured in the work and conveyed to the audience. I am making the film with the thought that this is what cinema is."So, what about the actors who participated in the film? Natsuki Deguchi, who plays Fujino, explained the focus of her performance: "As the title of the movie 'After the Storm' suggests, there were many scenes where backs were shown, and emotions had to be expressed solely through the back. At the end, I was told to feel Kyomoto." She continued, "I filmed a lot with Aju Makita, but when I was alone, I felt lonely and desolate. It felt empty, as if we were together but not. I filmed while feeling those emotions."Finally, Director Hirokazu Kore-eda mentioned that he is still writing new works and expressed his special affection for Korea by saying, "I want to come back to the Busan International Film Festival with this.""After the Storm," which was officially invited to the competition section of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and the Gala Presentation section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, will be released nationwide in theaters on the 8th.Meanwhile, the 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Cinema Center and various locations in Busan.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]