INDEX
Cultural Shift: ‘All of Us Strangers’ and ‘Past Lives’ Reflect the Rise of Personal Narrative in Film
Kizu: Did you have any memorable actors in the first half of this year?
Osanai: Andrew Scott is the MVP, isn’t he? He had three remarkable works in the first half of the year: “Strangers” (directed by Andrew Haigh), the drama series “Ripley,” and a solo performance in “Warrior” at the National Theatre Live. All three were fantastic. He really elevated the mood for me this half-year as the most impressive actor.
Kizu: Mine is John Magaro from ‘Past Lives’ (directed by Celine Song). Part of why I liked it is, well, because I’m a guy [laughs], but also because I welcome the increasing prominence of indie-leaning actors. Until recently, there was a trend where everyone seemed to be starring in Marvel films, but now actors like Paul Mescal are expressing intentions to focus more on indie films.
Osanai: Paul Mescal is great too. I went to see “Strangers” with a friend who is 10 years younger than me. He had just seen ‘aftersun’ (directed by Charlotte Wells) beforehand and was surprised that it was the same person. His choice of roles is good, and I want to keep an eye on him in the future. However, I’m a bit worried because his next film is ‘Gladiator II’ (directed by Ridley Scott), which is quite different in tone.
Kizu: Paul Mescal, like previous stars, has a well-built physique and attractive appearance, but what I find modern about him is the sense of vulnerability and fragility in his roles. In that sense, I wonder if the hero portrayed in ‘Gladiator II’ will be different from what we’ve seen before. In Japan, the image of Hollywood stars seems to have stopped at the era of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, and many people might not know Timothy Chalamet. However, new types of stars are emerging rapidly, which is also an interesting phenomenon of recent years.
By the way, ‘All of Us Strangers’ captures Andrew Haigh’s style well, but what impressed me was how it transcended gender and sexuality to become a work that resonates universally, thanks to its detailed portrayal of gay culture and history. Films like ‘Past Lives’ and ‘All of Us Strangers’ reflect a trend where movies themselves are becoming more personal and emotionally resonant. While it’s great to have films like ‘Oppenheimer’ that are widely seen and talked about, as a film writer, I often ponder how to ensure that personal films reach their intended audience effectively.
-With streaming becoming commonplace and the volume of content increasing, delivering films effectively has become an even more crucial challenge.
Osanai: Regarding actors and creators, more attention is being drawn from streaming productions, isn’t it? Nowadays, to understand which actors are making waves and where, you have to check out streaming content. That’s why I also want to pick up on who to watch for in the future.
One streaming film from the first half of the year that I particularly want to highlight is ‘Roadhouse’ (directed by Doug Liman). It’s an easy-going action film perfect for a weekend watch. Jake Gyllenhaal, the lead actor, also makes good choices in his roles. Another serious war film from the first half was ‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ (directed by Guy Ritchie). Both are around two hours long, straightforward Hollywood movies that you can enjoy quickly. It’s clear they are consciously choosing to appear in such films, and I found them to be works that I really wanted to see reach their audience well.
Osanai: Also, in terms of streaming movies, ‘Musica’ (directed by Rudy Mancuso) was quite good. The director and lead actor both have backgrounds as YouTubers, showcasing emerging new talents in this contemporary musical film.
Kizu: I often overlook streaming content. It’s hard to keep track of when new releases will appear on which streaming service. While I can follow dramas that are popular overseas, I end up missing out on many movies.
-Unlike films shown in theaters, they often don’t get much advertising either, do they?
Kizu: That’s right. It really requires movie fans helping each other out.
Osanai: Absolutely. It’s crucial that people who love movies, including dramas, share recommendations like “this was great” to prevent overlooked films from piling up unnoticed.
