"Capturing the Wind, Feeling Alive"... Director Sho Miyake Talks About Shim Eun-kyung and the Purpose of Cinema

"The expression 'real feeling' in the movie's dialogue is the most essential. I hope the audience can feel a renewed sense of 'being alive' through this film."

Sho Miyake, the current and most notable cineaste in the Japanese film industry, visited Korea. Through his new work 'Travel and Days', he brings back the senses we have forgotten.

Meeting in Seoul on the 3rd, Director Miyake candidly shared his thoughts on this work, which he considers the most challenging and poetic in his filmography.

◆ Beyond Light and Darkness, This Time It's 'Wind'

Having shown delicate light coordination through works like 'Your Bird Can Sing' and 'All of Dawn', he now strives to capture the invisible 'wind' on camera.

He recalled, "If I had focused on light and shadow until now, this time the challenge was wind. I directed the actors to 'react to the suddenly blowing wind' a lot. My role was to scout the shooting terrain and shout 'action' when the wind blew."

The film follows the journey of a screenwriter 'Lee' (played by Shim Eun-kyung) who is in a slump. It features a unique structure divided into two parts: the first half is a movie within a movie (a play within a play) written by the protagonist, and the second half is her actual travelogue. This reflects the director's intention to "regain the surprise of encountering a film for the first time."

◆ A 'Strange Journey' Made Possible by Shim Eun-kyung

The reason this film is particularly special for Korean audiences is the presence of actress Shim Eun-kyung. Their meeting at the 2022 Busan International Film Festival became a connection.

Director Miyake stated, "I was convinced that Shim Eun-kyung was the perfect fit to express the core themes of the film: 'travel' and 'the surprise of visiting a new place.'" He continued, "Among actors, some are described as beautiful, and some as fun, but Shim Eun-kyung is a rare actress who possesses both charms."

Born from this trust, 'Travel and Days' won the highest honor, the Golden Leopard Award, at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, gaining worldwide recognition for its artistic value.

◆ An Answer to 'Why the Theater'

In an era where videos are consumed through OTT and smartphones, Director Miyake paradoxically emphasized the 'experience of the theater.'

"If you see a dinosaur on your phone, no matter how big it is, it doesn't have a presence. Only when you look up at it on a screen much larger than yourself does the awe arise. Creating films that can only be experienced in theaters is what I must do."

Director Sho Miyake hopes to pleasantly defy expectations for his next work. His film 'Travel and Days' will be released on December 10, showcasing his new perspective and Shim Eun-kyung's profound acting.