Hirokazu Koreeda Captures the Inner Monster of Humans: "Ignorant Words Are Also Harmful"

Japanese Film 'Gwoemul' Press Screening

"We Who 'Find the Monster' Are the Monsters"
Young Actors Receive Sex and LGBTQ Education

A monstrous film that captures the inner monsters of humans through the subtle emotions, relationships, and conflicts of boys is storming the screen. Master director Koreeda Hirokazu (61), who directed the films 'Nobody Knows' (2005), 'Like Father, Like Son' (2013), 'Shoplifters' (2018), and 'Broker' (2022), returns with his new work 'Monster.' The film won the Best Screenplay Award at the 76th Cannes Film Festival held last May.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, director Koreeda Hirokazu met with domestic reporters via video at the press screening of the film 'Monster' held at CGV Yongsan in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He greeted, saying, "I could not come to Korea due to another film shooting schedule."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

'Monster,' which will be released domestically on the 29th, tells the story of a mother who senses something strange in her son's drastically changed behavior and visits his school, leading everyone involved in the mysterious incident to experience an emotional whirlwind.

'Monster' deals with the conflicting perspectives of students, teachers, and parents. Without leaning toward any one side's claim, the story's flow pinpoints the truth and poses the question, "Who really is the monster?"

Director Koreeda said, "In December 2018, I received a plot written by writer Sakamoto Yuji. It was thrilling. It was a script I could never have written myself. I wanted to convey this feeling to the audience as well," explaining the background of the direction.

He continued, "As I read each page, I felt something was happening, but I didn't know what. I found myself unconsciously looking for who was bad. Was it the homeroom teacher or the mother? Without realizing it, I kept searching for the monster and who to direct the blame at. Like the characters, I realized I didn't know the truth at all."

'Monster' moves the audience with its intricate narrative. Director Koreeda said, "The film reflects the human inner self and shows how often words like 'ordinary,' 'man,' and 'manly' are used. Words spoken casually without malice can sound oppressive and violent to the boys who hear them. I wanted to talk about how even unintentional harm can deeply wound others."

He also said, "If we must find the monster, it is 'us' who look for monsters while watching the film. When boys bully other children, their faces are not visible, but there are children around who incite them. The biggest monster in that classroom is those who incite."

Movie 'The Host' still image [Photo by NEW]

The directing process for the child actors was completely different from 'Nobody Knows.' Unlike the previous film, where the script was not given and instructions were delivered verbally on set in an improvisational style, this time the actors performed after readings and rehearsals.

Director Koreeda said, "'Monster' required complex and nuanced emotions, so I judged that it would be risky for the boys to improvise their lines. I selected the actors on the premise that they would receive the script in advance during auditions. Two actors (Kurokawa Soya and Hiiragi Hinata) stood out without a doubt." He added, "We made the film while providing education on sex education, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual minorities), and more to the child actors and their instructors."

Various opinions may arise regarding the ending. Director Koreeda said, "There were many possible endings, but I focused on what would allow them to positively accept themselves and chose the current ending." He added, "If you think of being saved or redeemed, ending with them embracing their parents is not the only way to be saved. I thought the best ending was to accept them positively as they are."

This time, he did not write the screenplay himself but collaborated with the writer. Regarding this directing method, Koreeda said, "If I had written the screenplay myself, I would have written certain spoiler scenes differently, so it was fascinating. While reading the script, I was amazed. When imagining it as a film, I didn't know what the story was, but I didn't find it boring and thought it was interesting. Even though I couldn't tell what it was, the tension continued. So I definitely wanted to take on the challenge."

He continued, "After reading the plot and screenplay, which are structured in three acts, the children's world only appears in the third act. I felt the writer wanted to entrust me with this children's world. I thought I was in a position to catch the ball someone threw and throw it well again." He expressed satisfaction, saying, "I want to work with writer Sakamoto Yuji again on the next project."

Director Hirokazu Koreeda Photo by AP·Yonhap News

At the 28th Busan International Film Festival held last October, director Koreeda Hirokazu revealed, "Writer Sakamoto is a writer who torments the audience." He recalled, "When I write works, I don't start with incidents but enter the story through everyday descriptions. Sakamoto's storytelling was incredibly excellent from the start."

He continued, "He deliberately misleads people. He makes you think one way and then takes you somewhere else, making you wonder, 'Was it not this?' He plays with the audience's thoughts back and forth. I've never drawn the audience in like that, so in that sense, I said he torments the audience."

'Monster' became the final work of music director the late Sakamoto Ryuichi, who passed away in March. Sakamoto was a renowned Japanese composer widely known to the public through film music.

Director Koreeda expressed condolences, saying, "I am saddened that this film became director Sakamoto's final work. I think it is a loss not only for Japan but for the global film industry. The music he left behind will remain forever worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.