The legendary Japanese actress is perfectly content to live a low-key life.
THREE-TIME Japan Academy Prize-winner Kirin Kiki is dubbed the Japanese Meryl Streep. At 73, she has had a long and prosperous career in acting since 1961, but she remains ever so grounded and humble.
“In Japan, the common understanding is that beautiful women become actresses,” she says at a Press conference. “I’m not conventional in that sense and never had a lack of roles to play.
“Some actresses tend to refuse the role of grandmothers even though they’re much older than I am. They say ‘oh I’m still too young to play a grandmother’. That’s why all the jobs keep coming to me,” she jokes, letting out an infectious chuckle.
The actress adds that she usually has a hard time turning these offers down since she doesn’t have a manager.
“I work on my own. I don’t have an office or an assistant. I carry my own bags around. Still, there is a silver lining to all this because the fees from my acting jobs go into my own pocket,” she says with a laugh.
TENACITY
Kirin began her career as part of a theatre group where she gained recognition for playing quirky roles.
Battling several illnesses, she kept on acting and has bagged a number of awards, including Best Actress for Tokyo Tower: Mom And Me, And Sometimes Dad.
Her other award-winning roles are for the films Kamikaze Girls, Half A Confession and Still Walking.
Kirin explains: “After World War 2, the acting scene still hadn’t gotten established yet in Japan. It was more traditional in nature. Now finally, we have acting in the modern sense of the word that puts us on par with the rest of the world.
“It’s embarrassing to admit but generally, actors in Japan are still lacking depth. That’s why even actors like myself can still be hired,” she jokes.
DRAMA
One of her latest works is the family drama After The Storm, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, and which also stars Hiroshi Abe and Yoko Maki.
Dwelling on his past glory as a prize-winning author, Ryota (Abe) wastes the money he makes as a private detective on gambling and can barely pay child support.
Renewing contact with his initially distrusting family, Ryota struggles to take back control of his existence.
Kirin plays Ryota’s mother Yoshiko, who doesn’t blame him for his failure but the world for not recognising his potential.
“I hope you will be able to understand my role as a person blinded by love.”
She explains that After The Storm, which was screened at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, centres more on the characters’ daily lives. “It’s set in a large apartment complex, where people who aren’t particularly prosperous in Japan live.”
The film’s producer Kaoru Matsuzaki adds: “We wondered if foreign audiences would be able to understand the nuances and the meaning behind that particular setting. I hope it’ll be well-received everywhere.”
Kirin says Yoshiko is a demanding role, but the film’s unique storyline allows her to explore the character on her own. “I believe this work will resonate well into the future.”
LARGE SELECTION
The family drama is one of 13 titles featured in this year’s Japanese Film Festival Kuala Lumpur that takes place from now till Oct 2.
Cutting across a variety of genres, the other films are An (also starring Kirin), Bakuman, The Boy And The Beast, Creepy, Chihayafuru Part 1 and 2, Desperate Sunflowers, Flying Colours, The Magnificent Nine, The Mohican Comes Home, My Love Story!! and What A Wonderful Family!.
Kirin was invited to Malaysia to be part of the opening ceremony for the 13th edition of the festival. “In Japan, there aren’t that many opportunities for older actresses like myself to be invited overseas. So I really do feel lucky to be here.”
Kirin has been to Malaysia but she can’t remember exactly when. “I remember that the airport wasn’t this big before.”
Japanese film offerings
Japan Film Festival KL 2016, organised by The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur, takes place from now to Sept 14 (GSC Mid Valley, GSC Pavilion KL, GSC 1 Utama and GSC NU Sentral); Sept 15-18 (GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang), Sept 22-25 (GSC CityONE Megamall, Kuching); and Sept 29-Oct 2 (GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu).
Golden Screen Cinemas chief executive officer Koh Mei Lee says: “We have seen admissions climbing steadily to 5,600 with an occupancy rate of 51 per cent in 2015,” she said.
“This year, we are working towards admissions of 10,000, which we expect thanks to the support and loyalty of the festival’s fans, many of whom plan movie marathons with family and friends.”
The Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Makio Miyagawa, expressed his desire that the festival extends its prominence as a cultural gateway to his homeland.
“The Japanese film industry is one of the oldest in the world. The first film was released in Kyoto in 1897, making Japan’s film history more than a century old. In general, films present the passage of culture and tradition of the country and nation it’s based on.”
Still, the Japanese film industry has experienced some downs over the past century. “I hope it will revive and continue to represent the heart, soul, mind and spirit of the Japanese.”
Also in attendance that night were National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) Director-General Datuk Kamil Othman and The Japan Foundation Director Koichi Horikawa.
All JFFKL2016 films are presented in Japanese with English subtitles.
Visit www.jfkl.org.my or www.gsc.com.my for details.