Tuesday, August 17, 2021
On July 25th, at the 32nd Marseille International Film Festival held in France, director Sugita Kyoji's film "Haruhara-san no Uta" (starring Araki Chika) won the triple crown of the Grand Prix, Best Actor Award (starring Araki Chika), and Audience Award in the International Competition section.
This is the first time a Japanese film has won the Grand Prix at the Marseille International Film Festival. Congratulations!
- 1 "Mr. Haruhara's Song" is a new Japanese film unlike any other.
- 2 Araki Chika's grandparents live in Hokuryu Town.
- 3 A story by Araki Chika
- 3.1 Attended an interview with Kita Sorachi Shimbun
- 3.2 Araki Chika's profile
- 3.3 The pre-COVID-19 film scenario was set in Hokkaido
- 3.4 An offer from Director Sugita Kyoji
- 3.5 A peaceful filming location
- 3.6 Response to his first film appearance
- 3.7 Unexpected results announced
- 3.8 Awakening to acting during elementary and junior high school
- 3.9 A basketball-filled elementary, middle, and high school life
- 3.10 Tama Art University, where he began his acting career
- 3.11 The path to becoming an actor is based on connections with others
- 3.12 Best Dancer Award Winner
- 3.13 Future plans, goals, and dreams
- 4 The story of Grandpa Yamada Takao (81 years old)
- 5 The story of Grandma Chieko Yamada (80 years old)
- 6 Chika's performance photo
- 7 Congratulatory remarks from Mayor Yutaka Sano
- 8 Related articles and sites
"Mr. Haruhara's Song" is a new Japanese film unlike any other.
The film "Haruhara-san's Song" is based on the title song from the first collection of poems by writer and poet Azuma Naoko, "Haruhara-san's Recorder."
By sensing the consciousness that flows through the ordinary happenings of everyday life, the film expresses invisible emotions such as caring for and empathizing with someone.
The Grand Prix winner, "Haruhara-san no Uta" (Song of Haruhara-san), directed by Sugita Kyoji, is "a new Japanese film, never before seen, full of mystery and surprise," and has been highly praised as "a program that is the polar opposite of Cannes, with a strong artistic orientation that does not pander to the French film industry."Quoted from an article by Tsukidate Nanako）。
The film will be released in Japan in the New Year of 2022.Polepole Higashinakano(Nakano Ward, Tokyo)
Araki Chika's grandparents live in Hokuryu Town.
Chika Araki, who played the main character Sachi in the film, is from Takikawa City. Both of her parents are school teachers. Chika's grandparents are Takao and Chieko Yamada, who live in Hokuryu Town.
A story by Araki Chika
Attended an interview with Kita Sorachi Shimbun
I had the honor of accompanying reporter Shima Atsushi of the Kita Sorachi Shimbun to the Yamadas' home for an interview. Mr. Shima is a renowned actor who belongs to the Fukagawa City Citizens' Theater Company. This interview was unique to an active actor.
Mayor Yutaka Sano, who lives nearby, also came to celebrate.
Araki Chika's profile
Born in Takikawa City (born July 18, 1995, 26 years old), graduated from Takikawa Municipal Kaisei Junior High School, Hokkaido Takikawa High School, and Tama Art University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Theater, Dance and Design.
The pre-COVID-19 film scenario was set in Hokkaido
"Until now I have mainly been active on stage, and this is my first time appearing in a film, so it still hasn't sunk in that I have won an award. Filming for this movie began in early August 2020. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, filming took place in Tokyo with a small number of people wearing masks.
"In fact, the script for the film was completed before the coronavirus outbreak. It was set in Takikawa City, Hokkaido, and the story revolves around traveling back and forth between Takikawa City and an art museum in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. However, due to the effects of COVID-19, filming in Hokkaido was no longer possible, so filming took place in Tokyo."
An offer from Director Sugita Kyoji
"When I went to see Director Sugita's "Song of Light" (a four-chapter feature film based on four tanka poems), I had just had surgery to adjust my jaw, and my jaw was very swollen. Director Sugita, who knows me, asked me, "Who are you?"
At that time, Director Sugita told me, 'Once your jaw is fully healed, let's make a movie to commemorate the completion of your jaw surgery,'" says Chika.
A peaceful filming location
"When we were actually filming the movie, the director created a very relaxed atmosphere.Everyone was relaxed and the shoot was done with a small number of staff (four people: cameraman, lighting technician, sound engineer, and director) and a few actors."
Response to his first film appearance
"The director told me to just be myself, so I didn't think too much about it and just acted naturally, as if I was having an everyday conversation. Filming a movie was a completely different experience from playing a stage play."
Unexpected results announced
"I was very surprised by the unexpected results. Everyone told me, 'Your behavior is wonderful.'"
Awakening to acting during elementary and junior high school
"My mother encouraged me to take part in the Takikawa Civic Musical 'Love, the Earth and the Auctioneer,' which was performed at Takikawa Civic Hall in August 2001. When I performed, I was impressed by the standing ovation at the end, and I remember being very happy."
After that, he appeared in the school play "Gon the Fox" in the 4th grade of elementary school, as well as in musicals, and played the lead role in the cultural festival in junior high school.
A basketball-filled elementary, middle, and high school life
"When I was in junior high school, there was no basketball club. So, while I was in the table tennis club, I would get together with the guys I played basketball with in elementary school after school. We formed a basketball club with like-minded friends and had a lot of fun. Even when I became a high school student, my life was all about basketball."
Tama Art University, where he began his acting career
Graduated from Tama Art University in March 2018.
"I heard from a friend that Tama Art University had a drama club, so I decided to go there. The drama club had just been established at Tama Art University, and I was one of the first students in the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Design. I learned the basics of art in my first and second years, and then in my third and fourth years, I learned how to create plays with students. At the time, I was also asked to perform from outside the university, so I got to experience performing on stage with my seniors.
"It was these experiences that made me want to pursue a career as an actor. My activities in Tama Art University's drama club have led me to where I am today, so I'm grateful to my friend who recommended it to me," says Chika.
The path to becoming an actor is based on connections with others
"I am who I am today thanks to the recommendations and connections I made with my teachers and seniors during my time at Tama Art University. I feel like I have walked the path to becoming an actor in a natural way.
I have never auditioned before, and I have received offers and gotten to where I am today through connections with people. One of my teachers at Tama Art University was the director of a theater company, so most of my connections have come through those connections.
After graduating, I didn't get a job, but instead appeared in every play I was invited to. Currently, I'm not affiliated with any theater company or agency, and I work freelance."
Best Dancer Award Winner
"I've also appeared in dance performances. I was in the Kyoto Art Center on March 11th and 12th this year.KYOTO CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD 2020" competition, where she won the Best Dancer Award (performing in "Balance" choreographed by Ono and Nakazawa)."
Future plans, goals, and dreams
"Next year, in January 2022, I'm scheduled to appear on stage in Tokyo. I've also been invited to film festivals overseas. And recently, my biggest dream is to appear in a commercial for my favorite brand, T-fal!
My role model is Sakura Ando. I would like to challenge myself in various fields in the future. I don't have a specific genre, just the stage. I want to try my hand at various activities, and I would like to participate in anything that can create a wonderful work.
I also like design and calligraphy, so I would like to hold an art exhibition."
The story of Grandpa Yamada Takao (81 years old)
In June 2021, Takao Yamada received a letter of appreciation from the Hokkaido Prefectural Police (he served as a traffic safety instructor in Hokuryu Town for 17 years). He is good at karaoke and woodworking.
"When Chika was little, she would have fun as part of a comedy duo with her friends. Even from an early age, she loved to entertain people in front of them," says Grandpa Takao, reminiscing about Chika's childhood.
"Come to think of it, I once performed a comedy routine in front of the younger members of the basketball club. Rather than laughing, they listened to me seriously and applauded," Chika recalls fondly.
The story of Grandma Chieko Yamada (80 years old)
Grandma Yamada Chieko is good at dancing and dressmaking.
"Chika-chan has been a neighbor since she was little.Dr. Murakami Grandpa"I learned calligraphy from my mother (95 years old) and was given a beautiful calligraphy brush. I was amazed when she put her feet in the ink and wrote calligraphy during her calligraphy performance," said Grandma Chieko.
Araki Chikako is skilled in calligraphy and has been asked to write characters on signs. Since her university days, she has also been performing her own unique calligraphy performances, in which she draws characters with a large brush while dancing.
Chika's performance photo
Calligraphy performance & creative dance
The walls of the Yamada family's living room are decorated with photos of calligraphy performances and creative dance.
Ishikari River T-shirt designed by Chika
The T-shirt that Takao Yamada loves to wear was designed by Chika. The design is said to represent the flow of the Ishikari River.
Congratulatory remarks from Mayor Yutaka Sano
"Congratulations! You are a truly wonderful young lady! If we have the opportunity to work together in the future, I would like to help you."
As a surprise, the mayor of the town who lives nearby presented them with a bouquet of flowers!!!
"I love having fun with everyone," says Chika, who has loved comedy since she was little and enjoys entertaining everyone. She is also talented in many areas, including basketball, dancing, calligraphy, and design!
With great love, gratitude, and prayers to the wonderful Araki Chika, who is cheerful, free-spirited, and expresses herself in an incredibly natural and natural way...
We would like to heartily congratulate Araki Chika on winning three awards at the Marseille International Film Festival, and wish her continued success in the future!
Related articles and sites
◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi
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