From 'Tian Hei Hei' to 'Blooming on the Roadside': Taiwanese Sounds in Cannes Film 'Nagi Notes'
The Japanese film 'Nagi Notes,' screened at Cannes, features Taiwanese folk songs and a theme song in Taiwanese, highlighting a deep connection to Taiwan. Director Koji Fukada chose Taiwan as a destination for his characters due to his personal familiarity with the country.
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The Japanese film 'Nagi Notes,' which premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival, subtly yet powerfully evokes Taiwan through its themes of marriage equality and its musical score, despite not being set in Taiwan. The film features the Taiwanese folk song 'Tian Hei Hei,' and the ending theme 'Blooming on the Roadside' was written by director Koji Fukada, translated into Taiwanese by Golden Melody Award winner Hsieh Ming-yu, composed by Taiwanese musician Pei-Pei, and performed by singer Cheng Yi-nung. The song resonated throughout the festival venues.
Starring Takako Matsu and Shizuka Ishibashi, 'Nagi Notes' is a co-production between Japan, France, Singapore, and the Philippines, distributed by MK2 Films. It was one of 22 feature films competing at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, held from May 12 to 23, and is scheduled for future release in Taiwan.
The film was shot in Nagi, Okayama Prefecture, a remote mountain town with only 5,400 residents. With no train station, it takes over six hours to reach from Tokyo, leading to the line in the film: 'It's further than going abroad.'
The story follows Yuri (Shizuka Ishibashi), an architect who once lived in Taiwan with her ex-husband, as she visits Yoriko (Takako Matsu), a sculptor living in Nagi. Although their legal ties are severed, they maintain a subtle and ambiguous relationship. Meanwhile, two boys in Nagi fall in love and search for a place where they can live out their romance.
At a Cannes press conference, director Koji Fukada explained that 'Taiwan' was not an initial requirement in the script. When considering where characters would go to escape their hometown, he felt Europe was too distant. Given his frequent visits to Taiwanese film festivals, he found Taiwan to be a familiar and realistic choice.
Fukada praised the inclusion of the two Taiwanese songs. He loved the idea of Shizuka Ishibashi singing 'Tian Hei Hei.' The ending theme, 'Blooming on the Roadside,' was the first time Fukada wrote lyrics. Originally a poem for a confession scene that was cut, he decided to keep the concept and develop it into a song, calling it 'very beautiful.'
Composer Pei-Pei noted that the translation process for the song involved multiple discussions with Hsieh Ming-yu and singer Cheng Yi-nung to ensure the phonetic nuances and imagery were preserved. Fukada treated the song as an integral part of the film, even requesting that the lights not be turned on during the credits so the audience could listen to the song in its entirety.
Pei-Pei observed that while Fukada's previous works often featured a 'stranger's intrusion,' the use of 'Tian Hei Hei' in this film carries a similar, albeit warmer, implication. She aimed to express the hidden emotional undercurrents of the characters through strings, adding warmth and hope to the narrative.
Starring Takako Matsu and Shizuka Ishibashi, 'Nagi Notes' is a co-production between Japan, France, Singapore, and the Philippines, distributed by MK2 Films. It was one of 22 feature films competing at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, held from May 12 to 23, and is scheduled for future release in Taiwan.
The film was shot in Nagi, Okayama Prefecture, a remote mountain town with only 5,400 residents. With no train station, it takes over six hours to reach from Tokyo, leading to the line in the film: 'It's further than going abroad.'
The story follows Yuri (Shizuka Ishibashi), an architect who once lived in Taiwan with her ex-husband, as she visits Yoriko (Takako Matsu), a sculptor living in Nagi. Although their legal ties are severed, they maintain a subtle and ambiguous relationship. Meanwhile, two boys in Nagi fall in love and search for a place where they can live out their romance.
At a Cannes press conference, director Koji Fukada explained that 'Taiwan' was not an initial requirement in the script. When considering where characters would go to escape their hometown, he felt Europe was too distant. Given his frequent visits to Taiwanese film festivals, he found Taiwan to be a familiar and realistic choice.
Fukada praised the inclusion of the two Taiwanese songs. He loved the idea of Shizuka Ishibashi singing 'Tian Hei Hei.' The ending theme, 'Blooming on the Roadside,' was the first time Fukada wrote lyrics. Originally a poem for a confession scene that was cut, he decided to keep the concept and develop it into a song, calling it 'very beautiful.'
Composer Pei-Pei noted that the translation process for the song involved multiple discussions with Hsieh Ming-yu and singer Cheng Yi-nung to ensure the phonetic nuances and imagery were preserved. Fukada treated the song as an integral part of the film, even requesting that the lights not be turned on during the credits so the audience could listen to the song in its entirety.
Pei-Pei observed that while Fukada's previous works often featured a 'stranger's intrusion,' the use of 'Tian Hei Hei' in this film carries a similar, albeit warmer, implication. She aimed to express the hidden emotional undercurrents of the characters through strings, adding warmth and hope to the narrative.
FAQ
Why were Taiwanese songs used in the Japanese film?
The director felt a personal connection to Taiwan, making it a natural choice for the narrative.