Film director Yoko Yamanaka gained widespread attention with ‘Amiko’ (2017), a film that even the late Ryuichi Sakamoto praised highly. Another person captivated by her talent is actress Yuumi Kawai, known for her roles in the drama ‘Extremely Inappropriate!’ and films like ‘A Girl Named Ann’ and ‘Look Back.’
During high school, Kawai watched ‘Amiko’ and has mentioned in many interviews that she personally handed a fan letter to Director Yamanaka. This deep admiration has culminated in their collaboration on ‘Desert of Namibia,’ set to release on September 6, 2024. In the film, Kawai plays Kana, a character who betrays her loving partner and drifts through her job with apathy. We spoke with the director about the emotional journey and the process of weaving Kana’s complex story.
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A Single Letter Sparks It All: The Connection with Lead Actress Yuumi Kawai
Yumi Kawai, the film’s lead actress, made a heartfelt promise during her high school years after watching ‘Amiko’: She wanted to be part of Director Yamanaka’s future projects.
Yamanaka: At a screening in PolePole Higashi Nakano, I received a handwritten letter from her. It declared, ‘I will become an actress. Please keep me in mind for your casting list someday.'”
Born in 1997, from Nagano. She dropped out of Nihon University College of Art. Her debut film, ‘Amiko,’ made on a self-taught basis, was selected for the PFF Award 2017. The following year, at the age of 20, she was invited to the 68th Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the youngest ever director invited to the festival and setting a new record for the youngest feature film director at the festival. When ‘Amiko’ was screened at PolePole Higashi Nakano, it set a record for late-night show attendance. Her first full-length feature, ‘Desert of Namibia,’ was featured in the Directors’ Fortnight at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where she won the International Federation of Film Critics Prize, becoming the youngest female director to receive the award.
And then, Yuumi Kawai has truly emerged as a prominent actress. How did this encounter lead to the current project?
Yamanaka: Initially, about three years ago, there was a completely different project based on an existing work. After reading the original, I felt that the protagonist would be a perfect fit for Yuumi Kawai, so I extended an offer. I spent roughly a year and a half developing that script, but when it came time to prepare for filming, I hit a wall and ended up escaping to India.
There, I realized that I couldn’t complete the project in my current state and asked to step down. The producer then suggested, “Since Yuumi has been waiting, why not create something original and do it your way?” That’s how the project underwent a sudden change.
So initially, the project was based on existing material, and since it seemed like a good match with Yuumi Kawai, we moved in that direction.
Yamanaka: That’s right. However, about four years ago, I heard through a contact that ‘Yuumi is interested in working together.’ It had been about two years since ‘Amiko,’ and by then I had seen more of Yuumi’s work. I was thrilled to learn that what she wrote in that letter was genuine, and I hoped to find an opportunity to collaborate someday.
When the project shifted from an adaptation to an original work, how did you develop the script?
Yamanaka: First, I considered what kind of Yuumi Kawai I wanted to see. The image of the protagonist that emerged was someone irresponsible and self-centered, yet somehow endearing.
From there, I listed my favorite films, themes of interest, and the rough concept of two male characters, and identified elements that could come together to form a complete film. I came up with the phrase “From Escape to Struggle.” Although it wasn’t yet in a script-ready state, the conceptual map was expanding, and I began to feel that it was achievable.
Synopsis: At 21, Kana (Yuumi Kawai) feels no passion for anything, even viewing romantic relationships as mere distractions. Her live-in partner, Honda (Kanichiro), tries to please her by taking on household chores and being devoted, but as Kana becomes more involved with the self-assured creator Hayashi (Daichi Kaneko), she begins to view Honda’s presence as a burden.”
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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.
