Kore-eda Brings "Look Back" Adaptation to Hong Kong with Lead Actresses
AM730 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN

Summary
Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda brought his live-action adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga "Look Back" to Hong Kong for promotional activities alongside actresses Natsuki Deguchi and Azure. The director, known for his warmth and empathy in filmmaking, expressed amazement at the strong turnout of younger audiences in Hong Kong, describing the film as a reflection of precious life moments. Both lead actresses revealed they trained extensively in manga drawing to authentically portray their characters' artistic journey.
Key Points
- Kore-eda's "Look Back" is adapted from Tatsuki Fujimoto's acclaimed manga, featuring two young girls pursuing their manga artist dreams
- The director selected Natsuki Deguchi and Azure as leads after noticing their chemistry in his TV series "Maid Kitchen" without their having shared screen scenes together
- Both actresses trained in manga drawing techniques including brush handling and ink application to prepare for their roles
- Kore-eda revealed he deliberately avoided the combative filming culture of 30 years ago, vowing his sets would remain peaceful environments
- The director emphasized the importance of secondary characters' perspectives, expanding the story beyond just the two protagonists
Why It Matters
The collaboration between Kore-eda and these rising actresses highlights evolving Japanese cinema's commitment to authentic storytelling, while Hong Kong's enthusiastic reception of the film underscores the city's enduring appetite for thoughtful, character-driven narratives from East Asian auteurs .
The collaboration between Kore-eda and these rising actresses highlights evolving Japanese cinema's commitment to authentic storytelling, while Hong Kong's enthusiastic reception of the film underscores the city's enduring appetite for thoughtful, character-driven narratives from East Asian auteurs .