Takeshi news and interview in Nov 06

[kewpie-chan]

Hello fellow TK fans, I'm baaack! ;D Sorry for my long absence, been a rough couple of months for me. I have good news and bad news. First the good news, I've translated the Screen Magazine article and posted it here The bad news, the disc I saved all my translations on got corrupted so was only able to pull the Screen Magazine and part of the CREA Magazine translations I did. ARGH!! Two months of translating work down the drain I'll have the CREA article translation up next weekend. Thanks for all your patience and I hope you enjoy reading the Screen article interview.
Jaa ne,
Kewpie-chan

[kewpie-chan]

SCREEN Magazine, December 2006: interview Takeshi Kaneshiro in Perhaps Love
Comparing to the past, currently he's not so persistent to be in love. Winter Song's Takeshi Kaneshiro is coming to Japan.


Takeshi Kaneshiro, along with Peter Chan and Xun Zhou are helping to promote Peter Chan's latest work, "Winter Song" (see pg. 64 for film review.) He shows a high spirited appearance since "Lovers" 2 years ago.

Before the latest press conference, the movie industry held a fan-based even featuring 2200 female fans screaming out Takeshi's name. Did everyone really want to meet just Takeshi Kaneshiro? There were some crying within the screaming fans and if this was all for just Mr. Kaneshiro, we're very grateful.

"Winter Song" is about a musical movie being produced. The leads (Mr. Kaneshiro and Xun Zhou) who were once lovers star in the movie after splitting up 10 years ago. In one musical scene that's filmed (even here she's playing the part of an ex-lover with no memory) it becomes so complex as it blends with the ex-lovers own reminiscences.

Naturally, he sings songs as he was once a Taiwanese Pop Idol.

"I haven't sung songs earnestly for 9 years. But it was the first time to use song as part of the expression. Back in those days, it was a different style of singing as well as an easier singing range."

This production features the famous Hong Kong singing legend, Jackie Chan. "I've been a huge fan of his a long time. During the campaign, our waiting rooms were next to each other and I felt lucky to hear him sing live." He (Takeshi) says he's thankful there were no dance scenes.

"The dance scenes in this film are done by Indian dancers with such intensity. But it's impossible for me."

Regarding producer Peter Chan, "He's a big producer and I've been waiting for this chance."

Lately, many famous producers' scripts have come to Takeshi Kaneshiro. There seems to be a strict policy for reviewing only well written works.

"The shooting was taken sequentially (pursuing the scene's sequence and shooting it), and the emotion naturally coming into play was quite stirring. Even though shooting in Beijing's winter was very cold and difficult, I thought seeing sceneries never seen before would sure be nice...Also, by shooting in a cold place, it brings out the feeling of lonesomeness."

At the press conference when the producer said, "There's no reason such a handsome man as Takeshi Kaneshiro would get jilted." (Takeshi) was shaking his head denying it, "I've experienced a woman suddenly leaving me. Everyone has a history. I think it's fate running into and parting with someone. And lately, I'm not so persistent to be in love compared to back in my 20's." He speaks frankly of being in love, a change from his Pop Idol days. I feel like I got to take a peek into an unknown facet of Takeshi Kaneshiro's life.

The best scene he likes, "Lying on top of the ice. It was really cold and thought my hair would freeze on it but it was a really beautiful shot."

Xun Zhou, originally from the mainland, was the best one in the know so she made restaurant arrangements and lots of other things while shooting in Beijing. It seems like during the photo shoot, she even talked about the movie. Says Xun Zhou, "I'm not the type that gets all easily roused but Mr. Kaneshiro is worse than me so I kept speaking positively to him."

Performing at a pace of one movie per year, Takeshi Kaneshiro's next work is with producers Alan Mok and Andrew Lau in "Confession of Pain." Co-starring is Tony Leung, Xu Jin Lei and Shu Qi, this also may be a topic to explore.

"Winter Song", the most intricate role to date and it appears Takeshi Kaneshiro will again capture the hearts of Japanese women. We wish that you use this opportunity as a medium for more Japanese appearances.

**Note from Kewpie-chan: anyone whose done translation work knows sometimes there's not a close match as to what the original language says so it may sound "odd" when you translate it.**

[lilias]

Thanks for all your hard work Kewpie-chan. Sorry about the computer problems!

[lisab]

Yes, thank you!

[helena]

yes thanks so mcuh kewpie-chan!!

[kewpie-chan]

Minasan konbanwa! Sorry for the long absence again but have another article translated. I thought it was the CREA one but it's actually the MARIE CLAIRE one. The disc was a total loss (wahhh! all the magazine articles and a video translation all gone) so I'm starting from scratch.

[kewpie-chan]

and note to Tje...yes, I lost THAT video's translation! wahhhh!

[kewpie-chan]

MARIE CLAIRE magazine, December 2006, No. 43 issue: Takeshi Kaneshiro interview

The challenge of the first movie musical "Winter Song". A strong new possibility shown by Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Just as Takeshi Kaneshiro says "There's never been a love story I've been so immersed in", his character in "Winter Song" fully brings out the expression of a man's weakness.

The surprising thing upon meeting with Takeshi Kaneshiro is how he keeps his boyishness while getting sexier every year. During the course of the interview just when you thought you spoke to his true mature character, he's then very playful and makes everyone around him laugh. This dual aspect might be Takeshi Kaneshiro's biggest charm.

Q: Mr. Kaneshiro, doing a musical must be a new test for you.

It was very novel. Also to do a play within a play as a musical hasn't been done before I think. It's a musical and I only had to sing so it wasn't that difficult. To use song was interesting and felt it was surprisingly easy to do. It was different when I was writing and singing my own songs, to use the words of the song as expression is clearly the objective.

Q: Which Peter Chan's work do you like?

"Love Song" and "If Only You Were Here...". I didn't think such a big producer would call on me, to be just singled out I immediately wanted to and thought, "I'm so happy. By all means I want to do it" but didn't decide until after I read the script.

Q: Comparing Producer Peter Chan to Wong Kar Wai and Zhang Yimou, what distinct characteristics did they have?

Every producer is different. If they weren't, it'd be annoying. (LOL!) Even though the expressive styles may be different, everyone has a sentimental side to them. Each respectively are sticklers for that small part of expressiveness. I think Peter Chan's works have lots of kindness and tenderness.

Q: How was it co-starring with "Singing Legend" Jackie Chan?

I think I passed by Jackie-san in only one scene and even that got cut out. (LOL!) We didn't have an opportunity to act together. Jackie-san is after all the Song God. To be honest it would've been nice to sing together though...(LOL!)

Q: What was your impression of the heroine Xun Zhou?

Of course I knew about her but haven't looked at her works. Upon co-starring together I thought she was a wonderful actress. I felt she bought out lots of her own emotions to her performance. Our actual age and nature are close so I felt we were on the same wavelength.

Q: She acted her part as a bad woman but what do you feel the heroine's charm was?

Probably the pure ability to pursue the dream? Watching her on stage sing and dance I thought she was radiant.

Q: The hero's been thinking about the woman for 10 years, were you able to understand that feeling?

Yes, I understood. In this world, I believe there are people like that. Even I feel I have some of those same feelings. Although I don't feel the need to do revenge. If I had unrequited love, it would be sadder in the past. Now, I consider my partner's point of view. The view of life and view of love I had when I was younger has changed.

Q: And that's due to becoming an adult, correct?

But I'm sure it'll change again. (LOL!)

Q: Since hitting your 30's, do you think you've changed as an actor?

My stance has become where if it makes me feel excited inside, I want to do it. I started back when I was about 20 years old and wanted to try everything. Now I know what's suited best for me and find it interesting if there's a challenge within that. I don't regard not being able to do it at all as a challenge anymore. (LOL!) I wonder if that means I'm not energetic any more. But when I say challenge now it means more to exceed from what I've done so far. Rather than become a new me.

Q: What was the biggest challenge in this role?

There's a limit to the movie's genre and to say, "Oh, it's another love story" is true but what made this role different was to do revenge against this woman. To carry this regret and think continuously for 10 years of wanting to make her feel and experience it he had as well. But that's not the movie's only theme, there are other characters on this stage that have their own themes too. And I believe each respectively learns about love and by doing so, it depicts how we as human beings, it grows beyond us and surrounds us all.

**Note from kewpie-chan: anyone who has done translation work knows sometimes there's not a close match as to what the original language says so it may sound "odd" when you translate it**

[deeta]

kewpie-chan, thank you for the translation. I dunno, but it always seems fresh whenever I read his interview. He gives out good and acceptable answers but somehow he is able to express that in a distinct and interesting way. Heee, way to go, TK.

[lisab]

Thank you so much for the translation!

[miyamoto]

kewpie-chan-san,

Arigato! Thanks for translating these for us. It's very much appreciated. Can't wait to read all of them! Gambatte ne!

[glow=red,2,300]M[/glow]

_________________________________________
because he dreams in Japanese.......

[lily]

Kewpie-chan, thanks for the translations. How long did it take to translate all of that? Anywho, much props to you for working out both of them. We all appreciate it. Those were some interesting interviews. I especially liked what TK said about himself as an actor from the MARIE CLAIRE magazine. So true.

[helena]

thank you so much, kewpie chan! that's so very thoughtful of you! and it doesn't sound odd to me, it seems very takeshi-ish so you must have got it right =D

what does anyone think abut what was said? i was interested in the question "She acted her part as a bad woman but what do you feel the heroine's charm was?" maybe this is slightly off-topc but do you guys think sun na was a bad woman? i know she betrayed jian dong and behaved badly towards him, but honestly i don't think she's truly "bad" i can see myself in her... i feel that as takeshi says, it was hard for her, being so poor yet wanting so badly to pursue the dream, to be "someone". and i think she did really love him - it must have been so hard for her. what does anyone else think...?

[misunderstood]

thank you for the article and translations. very nice!

[missbow]

kewpie-chan Thank you for the article it is much appreciated ;D