Leaving Yamagata
Leaving Yamagata now with 2 heavy awards; Special Jury Prize and the Citizens’ Award. The latter being a gift from the people of Yamagata who voted for their fave film. Very touching.
The whole experience was nerve racking. I never knew how the Japanese would see the film but they laughed and were moved at all right points. Some felt I made sweeping generalisations in my commentary which I guess was true. The jury gave the film a prize for ‘amazing access in an entertaining way’.
I leave Naoki and Yoshie as local heroes, or is it anti-heroes. He went to his doctors today who congratulated him on the film and said he never knew he was living with Yoshie who happens to be a patient of his also! People stopping and staring shaking Naoki’s hand is a far cry from the man I found hiding 4 years ago. Yoshie worries a little for the future and doesn’t want me to disappear and forget them. But tonight at her night job she expects to find more new customers coming to meet the local woman in the film.
I feel sad to leave Yamagata as this chapter in my life closes and a new one awaits me in the Middle East. But I don’t feel like I’m leaving Naoki and Yoshie behind, they are coming with me, an inspiration for making more films and many more friends in the future.
Watch an interview with Sean McAllister on NHK World
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