A special stage greeting event for the film ‘Desert of Namibia,’ which premiered nationwide on September 6 (Friday), took place on September 17 (Tuesday) at Bunkamura Le Cinéma in Shibuya Miyashita.
Yuumi Kawai, who stars as the lead character Kana, and director Yoko Yamanaka made an appearance. Reflecting on the film’s success with sold-out screenings across Tokyo, Kawai expressed her joy, saying, “I’m thrilled to do a stage greeting at one of my favorite theaters.” She added, “Friends and people close to me have told me this is their favorite movie of the year. Even industry professionals have gone to watch it in theaters, and I’ve realized how much anticipation there was for the film.” Yamanaka echoed this sentiment, saying, “I made this movie with a strong desire for it to be shown here at Bunkamura Le Cinéma.” Addressing the packed audience, she remarked, “After you leave the theater and look around, you’ll see why. The film is connected to the real world.”
Talking about the 21-year-old protagonist Kana, who feels disconnected from everything and views even romantic relationships as a way to pass time, Kawai shared, “People have different opinions about Kana. Some, including interviewers, relate to her, while others see her as someone completely different. It made me realize just how many layers this film has.” Yamanaka added, “After the release, I’ve noticed that people either really connect with or feel distanced from Kana. But I think there are other elements of the film to enjoy, so I want viewers to experience it in their own way.”
Kawai has had a remarkable year, with three lead roles in 2024 following ‘A Girl Named Ann’ and ‘Look Back’ in June, each generating significant buzz. She reflected on her experience: “I feel incredibly lucky. Each project gave me a chance to take on completely different challenges, and that’s been the best part. It’s also wonderful that people who’ve seen me in one film have come to watch these very different ones. I’m grateful for everything.” Reflecting on playing Kana, a character in her twenties, Kawai said, “Up until now, I’ve often played younger roles like high schoolers. But with characters like Kana and in ‘A Girl Named Ann,’ I feel like I’m encountering roles that are right for me at this particular time in my life.”
Yoko Yamanaka, who had previously said, “I wanted to capture a side of Kawai that no one has ever seen,” discussed the process of shaping Kana’s character. Kawai revealed, “Even before receiving the script, I had the chance to meet with the director several times. We didn’t talk about the film but rather shared things about our lives, our feelings, and what Yamanaka wanted to express through her movie. It was great because there was no need to start from scratch when building the character.”
Yamanaka added, “When I met with Kawai, I didn’t say, ‘I’m planning to make this kind of movie.’ Instead, we talked about personal things—our families and the mood of living in Tokyo right now. Left on my own, I might have leaned too much in one direction, but by listening to various people—friends, acquaintances, and even complete strangers—I aimed to create a more universal, multi-dimensional character.”
Afterward, the two answered questions submitted via social media. One question asked, “How do you switch your emotions when playing a role with intense emotional swings?” Kawai responded, “Every role has emotional highs and lows. There’s nothing fixed in my mind, but as a rule, I don’t let the emotions of the character spill over into my daily life. I try to remain calm and focus on what I, as an actor, can do.” Reflecting on her role as Kana, she added, “There were times when my heart couldn’t keep up unless I actively engaged myself, but I never let my emotions run wild. I aimed to express as much raw emotion as possible.”
Yamanaka commented on Kawai’s presence during filming, saying, “She’s grounded. When she’s on set, I feel like it’s Kawai herself who’s there. In a good way, it’s Kana coming from Kawai. I can see she’s operating in a space that can’t be reached by instinct alone.”
When asked about the title “Desert of Namibia,” a question came up: “Did you have any other titles in mind? Was it decided during or after filming?” Yamanaka explained, “You might think, ‘Namibia doesn’t appear, we didn’t go there,’ but for Kana, the ‘Desert of Namibia’ symbolizes the distance she feels from others and various things in her life. The idea came to me while writing the script, but I worried the title might feel too much like a classic film and might not attract an audience. However, after seeing the finished product, it was clear this film could only be titled ‘Desert of Namibia.'”
Kawai, who had heard Yamanaka’s initial concerns about the title during filming, recalled her reaction when it was confirmed, joking, “I wondered if she didn’t care if people showed up,” which drew laughter from the audience.
When asked about what they found newly appealing about each other after filming, Kawai remarked, “Yamanaka is such a pure person. Whether it’s something she believes in or even doubts, her feelings about it are strong and unwavering. It’s really wonderful, and I hope she stays that way forever.” Yamanaka playfully responded with a question, “Is there anything you hope I don’t become?” to which Kawai replied, “I hope you don’t go to any scary drinking parties.”
Yamanaka then praised Kawai, saying, “She’s not manipulative at all. There’s no calculating side to her. She views things and people in a very even-handed way.” She added, “When I was upset and called her, she calmly said, ‘That’s just your nature, so it’s okay.’ She’s so kind, and I really hope no strange people get involved with her.”
As a final message, Kawai shared, “I’ve read so many reactions, and I feel very fulfilled. So when you watch the movie, I hope you can fully immerse yourselves. And if you feel something, I hope it stays with you.” Yamanaka concluded, “Kana, the 21-year-old character living around Tokyo that Kawai portrayed, may feel familiar to some, but I believe there’s more to discover beyond just understanding her. I hope you take something away with you.” With these closing thoughts, the stage greeting came to an end.
Desert of Namibia
Screenplay & Director: Yoko Yamanaka
Cast: Yuumi Kawai
Daichi Kaneko, Kanichiro
Yuzumi Shintani, Ayumu Nakajima, Erika Karata
Sai Shibuya, Asami Shibuya, Moe Kurata, Sora Ijima
Keisuke Horibe, Makiko Watanabe
Produced by: “Desert of Namibia” Production Committee
Planning, Production, & Distribution: Happinet Phantom Studio
©2024 “Desert of Namibia” Production Committee
Official Website: happinet-phantom.com/namibia-movie
Official X: @namibia_movie
Official Instagram: @namibia_movie
2024 / Japan / Color / Standard / 5.1ch / 137 min / PG12
