Scenery Visible from this Special Road

When I was living in Kesennuma, I often took a stroll along this road which stretches from Route 26 to Isaribi Park on Hayamasan. I even shot my film “Haru’s Journey” there. There used to be a ropeway that led to Hayamasan, but it is currently closed. At the peak of the mountain, there is a place called Isaribi Park where the isaribi (fires for luring fish at night) from squid fishing boats can be seen. You can enjoy such a great ocean view from the eatery and the the observation deck where the locals gather.

The town of Karakuwa is home to many fishermen. Because the town has been struck by tsunamis many times in the past, the fishermen made a cemetery on the mountain. In the film, I shot the scene of the protagonist, played by Tatsuya Nakadai, paying a visit to the grave.

When shooting a film, the background serves to reflect every character’s emotional state. No matter how nice a place may be, it becomes difficult to feature unless it explains something. A simply vast location or beautiful townscape won’t necessarily work cinematically. Also, it is the actors who see the landscape while they perform. Rather than going to the actual place, you could film in a different location, but it won’t express anything. You must physically go to that place and perform in that place. That’s where the meaning lies.

Also, in filmmaking, you have to create a road map that is different from reality. It is about creating a city to match the narrative, connecting the protagonist’s routes from his house and workplace, and so on. To some extent, a photogenic road must have the feeling of life. When location hunting, I always walk so that I don’t miss anything by being in the car. I consider how to walk on the road or where the actors themselves might walk. There may be an old building or cedar forest. A road with attractive elements around it is a good road.