INDEX
Embedded in the Title: Our Deceptive Gaze from the Safety of Our Comfort Zone
Why was ‘Desert of Namibia’ chosen as the title?
Yamanaka： While turning the conceptual map into a script, there were moments when Kana’s character, as portrayed by Yuumi Kawai, wasn’t fully coming into focus. I found myself pondering what Kana did alone at home, despite always being with others. This led me to recall the live footage of the Namibian desert that I had watched on YouTube during that time.
Yamanaka: While researching, I discovered that the water troughs shown in the footage are actually artificial. The channel is run by a national park, and to put it bluntly, it seemed like they were luring animals to show them to us.
Namibia is said to be home to the world’s oldest desert, and its name reportedly means ‘nothingness.’ I was astonished to find such overt artificial intervention there. While it’s positive that the channel’s revenue benefits the land and wildlife, it also means that we, as viewers, can comfortably and safely watch from a distance, feeling reassured. This dissonance in our perception seemed to reflect societal deception, which I felt matched well with the themes of this work.
A mismatch in perspective?
Yamanaka: Kana treats close friends and partners roughly, but she listens more attentively to somewhat distant acquaintances or advice from a doctor. I think this is a universal trait. People often find it hard to accept what their parents say but are more inclined to listen to advice from strangers.
This sense of distance from others seems similar to how we might get lost in the soothing effect of watching a stream of the Namibian desert, ignoring what’s outside the frame. Perhaps it’s precisely because of this detachment that we can indulge in thoughts about distant things. But this is just my personal interpretation, and I hope viewers will enjoy it in their own way.
The character Kana is full of vitality and energy, and the title also contributes to her having an almost animalistic charm.
Yamanaka: Despite being worn out by the world, her emotions are overflowing. I love Kana as well.
