Shiranui Director Ryo Katanosaka Discusses Children's Purity and Casting ano at Busan Film Festival

Director Ryo Katanosaka took part in a Q&A following the international premiere of his 36-minute animated short Shiranui at the 31st Busan International Film Festival on October 7. Speaking with the audience, he discussed his view of children's purity, the experiences that inspired the film and why he felt ano could express the emotional pain of its 10-year-old protagonist, Minato.

Quick Summary

- Shiranui held its first overseas screening at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.
- Director Ryo Katanosaka discussed his approach to portraying the purity of children during a post-screening Q&A.
- Katanosaka said ano was chosen as Minato because he believed she could genuinely express emotional pain.
- Kana Hanazawa voices Ben-chan, while Shinichiro Miki plays Minato's father, Masaru.
- Shiranui is also set for a special screening at the 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.

Ryo Katanosaka Discusses the Purity of Children

Shiranui received its international premiere at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, where Katanosaka appeared at an official screening at CGV Centum City on October 7.

During the Q&A, one audience member noted that some depictions of Minato evoked the atmosphere of a horror film and asked how the director viewed children.

Katanosaka said he had not intended to portray Minato as evil or bad. Instead, he explained that children can become capable of bad things precisely because of their purity, and that the same purity can take different forms depending on their environment.

He said the expressions seen in the film emerged from his attempt to portray that straightforward quality of children.

Shiranui Follows a 10-Year-Old Boy in Kumamoto

The 36-minute animated short from CoMix Wave Films is set at the end of summer in 1996 in a seaside town in Kumamoto.

The story follows Minato, a 10-year-old boy who lives with his father, who struggles with alcohol. Minato finds emotional support in Ben-chan, a young goddess.

When it is decided that he will temporarily enter protective care at a children's home, Minato faces the prospect of being separated from her. Before they part, he prays to the mysterious lights over the sea known as “shiranui,” which are said to grant wishes.

A Seaside School Became the Starting Point for the Film

Katanosaka said the project began with a real seaside elementary school in Kumamoto.

He found the scenery highly cinematic and had wanted to make a film there since his twenties.

Katanosaka originally worked in live-action production, but after losing work during the COVID-19 pandemic, he began teaching himself animation.

Reflecting on the encounters and farewells he experienced during that period, he said he developed a strong desire to depict people who sincerely try to love one another but still fail to connect.

Why ano Was Cast as Minato

The idea of casting ano as Minato was initially suggested by a producer. Katanosaka, who was already a fan of ano, then decided to offer her the role.

He pointed to her ability to use a wide range of voices and to express the pain felt by young people through her songs.

Katanosaka said he believed she was someone capable of expressing the pain in a person's heart from a genuine place.

Kana Hanazawa voices Ben-chan, while Shinichiro Miki plays Minato's father, Masaru.

Everyday Realism Contrasts With Minato's Safe Place

For scenes depicting everyday life, the production created realistic backgrounds detailed enough that Katanosaka wanted viewers to feel as if they could almost sense the smells of the environment.

Scenes involving Ben-chan, by contrast, were designed as a place where Minato could feel safe.

Audience members continued asking about specific characters, scenes, visual expression and casting until the end of the scheduled Q&A session.

First International Film Festival Experience as a Director

Shiranui marks Katanosaka's first attempt at a commercial animated film, and the Busan International Film Festival was also his first international film festival appearance with a film he directed.

At the festival's opening event on October 6, he walked the red carpet in a black tuxedo and waved to the audience.

At the end of the Q&A, Katanosaka said he was still overwhelmed with happiness at having the chance to present his work to an overseas audience for the first time. He added that the response he received had strengthened his desire to continue creating works that could bring audiences even more joy and emotion.

Shiranui Also Heads to Sitges

Shiranui has also been selected for a special screening at the 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia in Spain, which runs from October 8 to 18.

FAQ

Q1. What is Shiranui about?
A1. The 36-minute animated short follows Minato, a 10-year-old boy living with his father in a seaside town in Kumamoto at the end of summer in 1996.

Q2. Who voices Minato in Shiranui?
A2. ano voices Minato. Director Ryo Katanosaka said he believed she could genuinely express emotional pain.

Q3. Who else is in the Shiranui voice cast?
A3. Kana Hanazawa voices Ben-chan, while Shinichiro Miki plays Minato's father, Masaru.

Q4. Where did Shiranui have its first overseas screening?
A4. The film had its first overseas screening at the 31st Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.

Q5. Will Shiranui screen at another international film festival?
A5. Yes. A special screening is also scheduled at the 59th Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia in Spain.

Source : ORICON NEWS