Here is one of two translations lovetk, enjoy! The other will be posted up soon. Arigato! Kewpie-chan
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www.takeshi-kaneshiro.comCONFESSION OF PAIN
“If I had to say which one I am, I’d say the type who picks on myself.” – Takeshi Kaneshiro
* Drinking Scotch while filming
Q: Please tell us the story of how difficult it was acting an alcoholic private detective.
A: I think playing a drunk is difficult. If you go overboard, it becomes too much like a play and appears too exaggerated and might possibly turn into a comedy. That’s why within this kind of serious work, when playing “being drunk”, it was a lot of pressure on me to see how far I could do it. The director said to me, “You can drink while acting, will you drink?” and I replied, “Oh yeah let me drink!” And so while filming, I was drinking Scotch. The biggest advantage in drinking while acting is gaining confidence in myself. The director later said, “Drink a little bit more,” or “You drank too much so take a break,” depending on what he observed from off to the side.
Q: How was it co-acting along side Tony Leung?
A: Tony and I once acted together in a film called “Chung King Express” but at the time, we never had a scene together. This time when filming scenes together, I felt it was wonderful. In getting his sense of performance, you overuse the term “Wow!” to death. I kept thinking…gee if I only had 1/100th of that. Also, I thought he had a broad understanding of how his acting influences the part. Perhaps there’s a great difference in what my understanding of the part is versus what’s his. He incorporates things into his acting that has nothing to do with the movie’s part. I felt impressed seeing this kind of tenacity to his part. In watching his performance I felt I should absorb whatever I could soak up from all this and thought on many occasions I should just watch and learn.
Q: Hollywood’s remake of “The Departed” was a huge success in Hollywood, was there any pressure in putting together with the “Infernal Affairs” series team?
A: Not really (laughs). When I received this offer I was just simply thrilled. I know Director Andrew Lau very well since filming “Chung King Express” and though Tony Leung and I kept passing each other, we both did act in “Chung King Express”; I got acquainted with Director Alan Mak when he assisted this director working on a script at the time. I thought, “Oh good, I get to work with them again,” and it was great working with both since their careers had taken off so I didn’t feel any pressure since I was thrilled to be able to work together with them again.
*Environmental issues that worry Takeshi Kaneshiro
Q: This movie seems to portray the emptiness and uncertainty in a person’s life…Mr. Kaneshiro, when is it you feel life’s uncertainties?
A: Of course there’s a lot. Like environmental issues (laughs). In Japan isn’t it how to get rid of the crows that gather around garbage? In things like that I sometimes wondered “Why is that”. After all, that’s a problem caused by humans throwing out garbage but break off once you think “Will crows become victims”. Taiwan has a problem with too many stray dogs…no matter what country, they all have problems to deal with I think. Maybe there’s nothing you can do besides the city you live in but it’s something you can choose to stop.
Q: If there’s an episode that has remained with you during filming, please share that with us.
A: In any case it was hot! It was mid-summer but we were running around wearing fall/winter type clothing and besides, since morning, I’ve been drinking. I didn’t become an alcoholic after filming was done but my body became a little odd (laughs).
Q: Do you have any favorite scenes?
A: Probably scenes with Shu Qi. We didn’t have many scenes together but after viewing it (the movie) I thought the sweetness you could sense between the two was good. “Bong”, the character I played, is slowly able to recover upon meeting her. I think the director was skillful in taking such great romantic scenes of the lovers in the few scenes together.
*No match against mother!?
Q: Both women seem to have a good grasp of this work, when did you feel you’re no match for women?
A: I think it’s different when it comes to women…..(has a serious worried appearance). Aaaah I’m no match against mom (laughs)! It’s okay since I like my mom, wonder why…. I don’t know, I just don’t know (laughs).
Q: The two heroes are totally different types aren’t they? “Hei” directs his pain to other people, while “Bong” embraces his pain and holds it inward. Which type do you think you are?
A: If I had to say which one I am, I’d say the type who picks on myself. Not to the point of self-cruelty but the type that asks, “Why am I so sad?” or “Why do I get so angry?”.
Q: And lastly at this time, please say a few words to the fans looking forward to this movie.
A: First of all, please don’t view this thinking it’s like “Infernal Affairs”. This is a pretty important point. No matter how much publicity and how much I’ve said this until my mouth was sour, my friends called me after watching it saying, “This is nothing like it!” And I answered back, “That’s what I’ve been saying all along!” (laughs) If you go watch it expecting well since it’s the same staff, Tony Leung is in it, there’s kind of an “Infernal Affairs” feel to it….you’ll find it boring. It is a totally different genre of work so please watch it knowing it’s a different piece of work!
No matter who sees Takeshi Kaneshiro, he’s attractive and certainly exudes a “star” aura about him. Having said that, the great thing was how he politely responded to the subject matters and occasionally showed a child-like smiling face. I was surprised when he suddenly began to tell the story about Japan’s problem with crows, but upon watching him make the point of view about the matter, was able to go with the flow. Surely it’s this natural characteristic that’s the secret to his success. Whether worrying about co-star Tony Leung or having this desire in him to learn whatever he can from Tony, such is Takeshi Kaneshiro. With this good sense of balance, I’m sure there will be numerous event activities in the future.
Permission to repost this article is granted only if this article is accompanied with this message, the text is not altered, and credit is given to this site with a live link as follows:
Credit: kewpie-chan
www.takeshi-kaneshiro.com
. I bet it's funny. His dimples are adorable 
Emi-chan (my friend's lil baby girl) got a hold of some pages.
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