How did Horokazu Kore-eda make “Monster?”
Japanese film director Horokazu Kore-eda won Canne’s Palme d’Or in 2018 with “Shoplifters.” This year, his latest film “Monster” won Best Screenplay (written by Yuji Sakamoto). “Monster” was released on June 2, 2023 in Japan, and is slated to be in theater in the US in late 2023 or early 2024. What kind of story is “Monster?” How was it like to work with Yuji Sakamoto, as Kore-eda usually write scripts by himself? How was Ryuichi Sakamoto, who was battling cancer (and passed away in March, 2023), able to write songs for “Monster?” Here is what Kore-eda said about his latest masterpiece.
The Japanese version of “Monster” trailer
On working with Yuji Sakamoto
Yuji Sakamoto is a highly sought screenwriter. He wrote “Tokyo Love Story,” a TV series that became a big hit in Japan in 1991 when he was only 24 years old. Ever since, he have worked on more than a dozen scripts for TV drama series, and a couple of movies. Kore-eda was especially impressed by “それでも、生きてゆく (Life still goes on),” a TV series in 2017 about a family of a girl who was tragically killed by a young, mentally unstable man. Sakamoto wrote a story in which the brother of the slain girl fell in love with the sister of the killer. Kore-eda recounted: “I once made a movie about a family of a killer, so I can say that I chose a similar subject. But it never occurred to me to write a love story of the two that came from a family of a victim, and a family of a killer. It’s unbelievably difficult subject, but Sakamoto pulled of an excellent story by using simple, plain words. It’s almost an impossible thing to do.”
Excerpt from “Life still goes on.”
The mother of the victim (played by Shinobu Otake)
faces the killer (played by Shunsike Kazama)
“Monster” was initially conceived by Sakamoto and Genki Kawamura, the producer of the film. When the draft plot was complete, Sakamoto recommended Kore-eda as the director. Kore-eda was excited about the offer. “I was so honored, and was ready to accept it no matte what kind of movie it was. I knew that we could create something new.”
On the title “Monster”
When I received the draft plot in December 2018, it had a different title. Sakamoto and I spent the next three years exchanging our ideas and thoughts…I think it took us good two years to settle on “Monster” as the title. After we decided on the title, Sakamoto kept adding details, which, in hindsight, were about revealing hidden monster-ness of different people. So I think the title was spot on.
On child actors who played critical roles
The main characters were two struggling boys who have been dealing with difficult issues including sexual orientation. It was a challenging assignment for young acters who were just 11 or so years old. I’ve made many movies about children, and my usual approach was to let child actors’ personality help shape the character. I would give lines verbally to the kids, rather than handing them a script. But it didn’t feel the right way for “Monster.” As a matter of fact, when I asked two child actors if they wanted to learn lines verbally or have a written script, both of them wanted the latter. I gave them the script, which defined the personalities of the two characters (Minato and Yori). I then worked with the actors (Yoya Kurokawa for Minato and Hinata Hiragi for Yori) to figure out who they really were . I think they did a fantastic job. It didn’t feel at all that they were reading lines. They were living the lives of Minato and Yori. It felt that they really meant what they said.
On Sakura Ando
“Monster” is full of great actors even though they may not be known outside Japan. But you may remember Sakura Ando from “Shoplifters.” Everybody who watched it had to talk about the scene in which Ando cried after she was arrested. According to Kore-eda, Ando is willing to work with the director to find answers, and appreciates the process to do it together. And she always ends up landing on the place I’ve never imagined. I feel like we can keep finding new potential when I work with her.
On Ryuichi Sakamoto
Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto sadly passed away in March 2023 at the age of 71 succumbing to cancer. He was the member of the techno-pop band YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra) in the 80’s. After it was disbanded, he accomplished a lot as a solo musician/pianist. “Monster” became Sakamoto’s last soundtrack. When Kore-eda started filming “Monster,” he had imagined the story to be unfolding in a small community by a river. But as he couldn’t find the right place, he ended up choosing a town by Lake Suwa. I realized lakes were weird, recounts Kore-eda. When you look at a lake at night, which is dark and calm, it feels like a big hole surrounded by lines of light. It’s eerie and scary. I decided that the lakeside was the right place for this movie. And it was when I was looking at the lake at night I decided that I wanted Sakamoto’s music. I was listening to his songs when I was editing. But I knew that he was battling cancer. I couldn’t decide if I could ask him if he could make soundtrack for us, but eventually I wrote a letter to him with my draft take. Sakamoto replied to me saying he liked the movie and will try to write a couple of songs. He said he didn’t have enough energy make the full soundtrack. But he also allowed me to use songs from “12.” In a scene of two boys, Sakamoto’s music resonated so well with them. It was really great to see it.
”Aqua” by Ryuichi Sakamoto used at the end of the film.
Uncharacteristically simple song is beautiful and will make you cry.
