Written/Compiled and reported by Zhang Yingying, MOOK Travel Life Network
Fukuyama Masaharu’s latest film has been generating buzz, not only creating a stir at its Cannes premiere—where it won the Cannes Jury Prize—but also racking up over 2.3 billion yen at the Japanese box office. The overseas rights have been purchased by Steven Spielberg. Recently, the film’s director Hirokazu Kore-eda visited Taiwan. In addition to attending the Kaohsiung Film Festival, he also caught the Rubber Duck fever and made a special trip to Glory Pier to see it.
"Like Father, Like Son" Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda attends the Kaohsiung Film Festival event and also visits the Rubber Duck. (Photo provided by VISION INTERACTIVE)
Director Kore-eda, visiting Kaohsiung for the second time, has a special affinity for Taiwan. This trip was not only a revisit to his father’s birthplace, but he also happened to encounter the wildly popular Rubber Duck. He happily mentioned that his six-year-old daughter loves toy dolls, and yellow just happens to be her favorite color—making it a perfect souvenir to bring back for her.
Kore-eda attended the post-screening talk on the 20th, where actress Zhang Zhenning unexpectedly showed up, exclaiming that she is a huge fan. During the talk, she shared how deeply moved she was by the new film. Kore-eda also visited Director Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Spot Taipei Cinema during his Taiwan trip. Deeply influenced by Hou Hsiao-hsien, Kore-eda was thrilled and also bought DVDs of works by Hou Hsiao-hsien and Edward Yang, as well as a book by cinematographer Mark Lee Ping-bing, with whom he has collaborated. Additionally, Kore-eda finally got to try the xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) he had been curious about in Taipei, and after his packed schedule, he also treated himself to a massage, relaxing completely.
Fukuyama Masaharu plays a father for the first time in "Like Father, Like Son," earning praise from the director!(Photo provided by VISION INTERACTIVE)
"Like Father, Like Son," which will be released in Taiwan on October 25, stars top Japanese actor Fukuyama Masaharu in the lead role, alongside talented actress Eriko Imai, trending actress Haru Kuroki, and popular novelist Lily Franky (author of the oft-adapted novel "Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad"). The film continues to be a hit in Japan, with a box office total of 2.3 billion yen and over 2 million admissions.
One highlight of the film is the natural performances by the child actors, including Koki Ninomiya, who plays Fukuyama’s son and also starred recently as the son in the popular Japanese drama "Hanzawa Naoki." In the film, he shares touching scenes with both couples, and his interactions with Fukuyama Masaharu are a standout part of the movie.
Director Kore-eda working with Fukuyama Masaharu and Eriko Imai on the set of "Like Father, Like Son." (Photo provided by VISION INTERACTIVE)
"Like Father, Like Son," which will be released in Taiwan on October 25, stars top Japanese actor Fukuyama Masaharu in the lead role, alongside talented actress Eriko Imai, trending actress Haru Kuroki, and popular novelist Lily Franky (author of the oft-adapted novel "Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad"). The film continues to be a hit in Japan, with a box office total of 2.3 billion yen and over 2 million admissions.
One highlight of the film is the natural performances by the child actors, including Koki Ninomiya, who plays Fukuyama’s son and also starred recently as the son in the popular Japanese drama "Hanzawa Naoki." In the film, he shares touching scenes with both couples, and his interactions with Fukuyama Masaharu are a standout part of the movie.
"Like Father, Like Son" officially opens in Taiwan on October 25. (Photo provided by VISION INTERACTIVE) Film
"Like Father, Like Son" tells the story of Yoshida Ryohei (played by Fukuyama Masaharu), a successful employee at a Tokyo architecture firm, who lives a happy life with his wife (Eriko Imai) and their son. One day, a call from the hospital changes their peaceful existence—their beloved son, whom they’ve raised for six years, was accidentally switched at birth and has no blood relation to them. The Saiki couple (Lily Franky & Haru Kuroki) face a similar unexpected situation. The years of deep father-son bonds they've formed transcend blood ties, giving rise to a heartfelt story about family and love.
◎ Read more: Hanzawa Naoki’s “Double or Nothing” – Filming Locations (Kansai Edition)》http://goo.gl/1eGyoq