Korean dramas, natural disasters, provided inspiration for 'Suzume'

Movies

Published: 08 Mar. 2023, 14:47

Korean dramas, natural disasters, provided inspiration for 'Suzume'

Japanese director and animator Makoto Shinkai speaks during a press conference held at MegaBox Seongsu branch in eastern Seoul on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Elements from Korean dramas and natural disasters rampaging Japan were some of the influences for Makoto Shinkai in the making of “Suzume,” the latest animation from the Japanese director.

"I drew inspiration from the Korean drama 'The Goblin,' where doors are frequently used as a metaphor and motif," said Shinkai, during a press conference held with local media at MegaBox Seongsu branch in eastern Seoul Wednesday. "A door is a symbol of everyday life - every morning I open my front door and go about my errands, and come back home saying 'I am back.' A disaster is a break from that everyday life, so I thought that using a door as a motif would suit 'Suzume.'"

“Suzume” follows Suzume, a young student who meets a mysterious person traveling across Japan and accidentally opens a door that causes natural disasters – she then desperately tries to prevent disasters from happening all over the country.

Natural disasters, individual and collective loss and a search for meaning are frequent themes in Shinkai’s animation films. The director’s most recent works, including “Your Name” (2016) and “Weathering with You,” (2019), touched upon these themes and were massive critical and commercial successes. “Your Name” alone drew 3.8 million viewers in Korea and caused a syndrome in the country.

A scene from ″Suzume″ [MEDIA CASTLE]

As “Suzume” was made in the midst of the pandemic, Shinkai felt uneasy about whether this film could also be a success overseas, including in Korea, according to the director.

“I had doubts about whether ‘Suzume’ could also leave a mark as my previous films did,” said Shinkai. “But fortunately, I was able to come here like this to meet audiences and fans of my films, and I am very happy to be here.”

The success of Japanese animations in Korea recently, such as “Slam Dunk,” was also inspirational to Shinkai, the director said.

“I think ‘Slam Dunk’ is probably the first work that moved the hearts of Japanese and overseas audiences by using 3D CG technology,” said Shinkai. “We actively used CG effects in ‘Suzume’ as well. When Sota, the man that Suzume meets, turns into a chair, most of that sequence was directed with CG. I am not the spokesperson for all creators of hand-drawn animation, so what I can say about the future of animation is limited – but I think it is true that many things will change to 3D and CG soon.”

The reason CG is being used so much nowadays is that the number of animators has decreased dramatically, according to Shinkai.

A scene from ″Suzume″ [MEDIA CASTLE]

“The number of animators has shrunken overall, but I think that reduced number will be made up by artificial intelligence,” said Shinkai. “Japan has also made a lot of progress with AI, and this year will continue in that direction, in my opinion. AI will be used in writing screenplays and making animation actively. We are also trying to purposefully embrace that technology.”

Nanoka Hara, the main voice actor who plays Suzume in “Suzume,” also spoke during the press conference Wednesday. Hara had auditioned and beat out 1700 others to grab the role, and “Suzume” was the first time she had voice acted.

“I am very thankful to director Shinkai for giving me this opportunity,” said Hara. “I was not sure that I could voice act, but due to director Shinkai’s trust, I was able to finish my work well.”

Shinkai’s next project is also in the works, according to the director, but it will be something completely different from his previous films, which mostly deal with common themes of natural disasters, loss and meaning.

“My past works have had similar elements that have repeated themselves,” said Shinkai. “From now on, I plan to go in a wholly different direction. My slate is blank for now on my next project, but I hope to show audiences something entirely new.”

“Suzume” opens in theaters across Korea on Wednesday.

A scene from ″Suzume″ [MEDIA CASTLE]

“My past works have had similar elements that have repeated themselves,” said Shinkai. “From now on, I plan to go in a wholly different direction. My slate is blank for now on my next project, but I hope to show audiences something entirely new.”

“Suzume” opens in theaters across Korea on Wednesday.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]