Movie Name: Succession
Director’s Name: yoshimitsu kushida
Hello yoshimitsu! Welcome to SIFF!
1. What made you come up with this concept of ‘succession’?
Seeing what’s going on around the world, conflicts and tragedies, I couldn’t help but question, “what would be the proof of our past (loss), now (life), and future (hope)?”
2. Who are your target audiences for this movie?
For those who are asking for the meaning of their existence and suffering from earning their lives, regardless of their race, age and gender.
3. How do you think the audience would like to connect with this film?
I would like the audience to see the connection between the piece and our living societies, such as what it is like to live humanly and truthfully, or what really is to live.
4. What message do you wish to give to your audience from this movie?
The film, the world where the air is completely contaminated, depicted two kinds of groups: those who choose to save their lives sacrificing their freedom, and those who choose to discard the mask for the liberation to live to their fullest. I hope the audience will receive our question “what is to live?” as a relay baton.
5. What are the challenges you faced while making this film?
You can probably tell if you have already seen the piece, but it was difficult to interpret the story whether it had a happy or bad ending.
Also, there was a hurdle for me to deliver the story in physical expression without using language.
6. Your creative exploration is definitely worth applause. As an artist and director, what are the other genres you wish to explore?
Japanese horror has been my great interest.
7. What made you take an interest in direction?
One of the interesting parts of Japanese horror is the mood (or atmosphere) of it, and there is underlying culture so called “reading the air” (to behave as the others would expect without community explicitly). My goal is to express this unique culture through beauty and horror in films.
8. What are your aims and goals in the near future? Are you working on any projects?
To get many people around the world to know my pieces through filmmaking, and to realize the world tour with “Succession”.
9. What do you love doing, except filmmaking? What is your passion that goes beyond movies?
I love horror movies, I am especially into zombies.
10. Did you enjoy working with us? We surely did! Talk something about your experience working with SIFF!
It was my very first challenge to participate in a film festival as well as to receive an award.
This award and experience will surely be unforgettable for my whole life. I deeply appreciate the whole journey.
