Japanese director Kobayashi Masahiro may be reticent as a person but his movies send a strong message.
![Kobayashi Masahiro]( "Kobayashi Masahiro")
In the City recently, he says he is humbled by the experiences that he had here and the response his movies have received.
He says he would rather make movies that touch the hearts of people than those which entertain.
"Most movies made in Japan are received well by people outside the country. But now, there are various sources of entertainment like smart phones, television etc and hence less movies are being watched," he informs. 'Japan's Tragedy', one of his films screened in the City, portrayed his style to a great extent.
"I have played with black and white and colour in the film. While the past is shown in black and white, the present is in colour. This film has not yet been screened in Japan and I am worried about how it will be received there," he says.
When asked how the country has coped with Tsunami and if film-makers have tried to capture the loss through films, he says the people of Japan don't want to see such a film.
"The loss is so huge and so heart-wrenching that people don't want to watch a film made on that subject. Many documentaries and telefilms have been made on Tsunami that had left behind much destruction. Seeing such a natural calamity requires a lot of strength and not many are ready for it yet," he says.
He says watching a movie has become a very personal thing now.
"Directors today focus on a small number of people, instead of making good films," he says.
"Earlier, when we made films in a 35mm format, we had no choice but to make a big budget movie. However, the tides have changed today. Directors are making movies on small budgets. I want to make movies on people who have lost hope. I don't want to make movies which have dancing maharajas in them," he adds with a smile.
Kobayashi has felt the pulse of the City and likes it. "People are very lively and enthusiastic here. They are full of positivity, which is quite a contrast to what I see in Japan, where people are listless and dull. I went to an eatery near Russell Market and ordered an Indian curry, I must add that Indian curries are very popular in Japan. I ate using my hands, it was quite an experience," he adds.
"Japan is still reeling under recession, hence, the directors are looking to make money. They prefer making films which will fetch them the moolah. Most films are made based on Japanese cartoons or a compilation of TV soaps. All other kinds of movies fall in the category of art movies," he explains.
His awareness of Indian movies is almost nil but the mention of Satyajit Ray certainly rings a bell.
"He is beyond praise. I have seen his films Pather Panchali and Apur Sansar and they are masterpieces. I have no clue about Indian movies. All I know is that they have songs and dances, which are very long. People in Japan don't know much about India. They still think India is the land of elephants and snakes and now, as IT hubs," he notes. His life is dedicated to making films that have an impact on people.
"When I make a film, I give my everything to it. After completing a film, I don't feel like making another one. But the love for cinema drives me on," he sums up.
In the City recently, he says he is humbled by the experiences that he had here and the response his movies have received. He says he would rather make movies that touch the hearts of people than those which entertain.
"Most movies made in Japan are received well by people outside the country. But now, there are various sources of entertainment like smart phones, television etc and hence less movies are being watched," he informs. 'Japan's Tragedy', one of his films screened in the City, portrayed his style to a great extent.
"I have played with black and white and colour in the film. While the past is shown in black and white, the present is in colour. This film has not yet been screened in Japan and I am worried about how it will be received there," he says.
When asked how the country has coped with Tsunami and if film-makers have tried to capture the loss through films, he says the people of Japan don't want to see such a film.
"The loss is so huge and so heart-wrenching that people don't want to watch a film made on that subject. Many documentaries and telefilms have been made on Tsunami that had left behind much destruction. Seeing such a natural calamity requires a lot of strength and not many are ready for it yet," he says.
He says watching a movie has become a very personal thing now.
"Directors today focus on a small number of people, instead of making good films," he says.
"Earlier, when we made films in a 35mm format, we had no choice but to make a big budget movie. However, the tides have changed today. Directors are making movies on small budgets. I want to make movies on people who have lost hope. I don't want to make movies which have dancing maharajas in them," he adds with a smile.
Kobayashi has felt the pulse of the City and likes it. "People are very lively and enthusiastic here. They are full of positivity, which is quite a contrast to what I see in Japan, where people are listless and dull. I went to an eatery near Russell Market and ordered an Indian curry, I must add that Indian curries are very popular in Japan. I ate using my hands, it was quite an experience," he adds.
"Japan is still reeling under recession, hence, the directors are looking to make money. They prefer making films which will fetch them the moolah. Most films are made based on Japanese cartoons or a compilation of TV soaps. All other kinds of movies fall in the category of art movies," he explains.
His awareness of Indian movies is almost nil but the mention of Satyajit Ray certainly rings a bell.
"He is beyond praise. I have seen his films Pather Panchali and Apur Sansar and they are masterpieces. I have no clue about Indian movies. All I know is that they have songs and dances, which are very long. People in Japan don't know much about India. They still think India is the land of elephants and snakes and now, as IT hubs," he notes. His life is dedicated to making films that have an impact on people.
"When I make a film, I give my everything to it. After completing a film, I don't feel like making another one. But the love for cinema drives me on," he sums up.