The two loose stories depict ideas of life and death with a distinct sci-fi twist.
He had no producer and only a government subsidy.
DEADLINE:How are you feeling about the Tokyo Film Festival and bringing your debut to audiences here?
Kotsuji Yohei.Tokyo Film Festival.
DEADLINE:Youre a full-time teacher and have been producing films in your spare time.
Can you tell me a little about how you became a filmmaker?
I dont really have a producer.
Its really about me making the films that I want to make.
From an outsiders view, it might just seem like a hobby.
This film took about five years to make.
DEADLINE: So how did you acquire the equipment to shoot the film and find actors and collaborators?
As for the equipment, that all came from the cameraman and I recruited the actors on the Internet.
DEADLINE: What is it like being an independent filmmaker in Japan?
Do you feel supported?
YOHEI:This depends on the filmmaker.
In terms of the support that I get, I would say its certainly not nearly enough.
DEADLINE: What is the genesis behind the story inA Foggy Paradise?
DEADLINE: Youve said that you didnt expect this film to blow up the way it has.
How did you end up at the Tokyo Film Festival?
Did you submit or did they find you?
YOHEI:I did the entry submission, but I never expected it to go through.
When I was sending an email to my friends to let them know, my hands were shaking.
DEADLINE: What are you hoping will happen after this premiere?
What is the best-case scenario for you and this film?
YOHEI:Im hoping that I can travel with my family.
DEADLINE: It is notoriously difficult to obtain permission to shoot in Tokyo.
Did you shoot the film here, and what was your experience?
YOHEI:It is indeed very difficult to get permission to shoot in Tokyo.
I did most of my filming in Kanagawa, which is the prefecture right next to Tokyo.
It was easier to get a permit there.
The main residential house in the film is Kawasaki City in Kanagawa.
DEADLINE: Do the students you teach and your colleagues know you have a film at TIFF?
If so, what do you think?
My fellow teachers are very happy for me and now jokingly call me the maestro or the master.
DEADLINE: What are you doing next?
Are you thinking about a second feature?
YOHEI:I will continue to work as an independent filmmaker.
Right now, Im considering two ideas.
The first one is inspired by a trip I took to my hometown recently.
I caught up with old friends, and we did what we used to do when we were young.
We would hang out at the convenience store and talk until the wee hours.
It then occurred to me that nothing had changed, but wed just grown into middle-aged men.
DEADLINE:How are you finding the experience of doing interviews and having all this attention?
