Women In Motion in Japan: An exclusive talk with Naomi Kawase, Hiromi Nagasaku and Arata Iura

An international platform

Ever since Women In Motion was created in 2015 at the Festival de Cannes, the Talks have been an essential part of the festival program; provoking thought, advancing the cause of gender equality and helping to change mindsets. By offering a platform to leading personalities, the Women In Motion Talks are an opportunity for guests to talk about their experiences and to give original, enlightened views on the representation of women onscreen, and all the other areas of the movie industry. In total, more than 70 guests have been welcomed at more than 40 Talks around the world since 2015.

In 2020, the Women In Motion Talks visited Tokyo, inviting Naomi Kawase, director of the film True Mothers, along with its two leading casts, Hiromi Nagasaku and Arata Iura. Adapted from the book of the same name by Mizuki Tsujimura, the film tells the story of a couple who adopted a child after it proved impossible to conceive one of their own. The movie, which was given the 2020 Festival de Cannes label, will be released in the near future.

During the Talk recorded at the new headquarters of Kering Japan, Naomi Kawase, Hiromi Nagasaku and Arata Iura discussed the growing numbers of women in the Japanese movie and TV industries, along with the differences between Japan and the West. The themes of maternity and parenthood, which are central ones in the film, were also discussed.

About Naomi Kawase, Hiromi Nagasaku and Arata Iura

Naomi Kawase began her career as a documentary filmmaker, winning two awards at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival. She went on to direct numerous films, including Suzaku, which won the Caméra d'Or (New Director Award) at the Festival de Cannes in 1997, The Mourning Forest, which won the Grand Prix at the 2007 Festival de Cannes and, more recently, Sweet Bean. In 2015, she received the Chevalier of the French Order of Arts and Letters, and in 2018 was chosen to direct the official film for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Hiromi Nagasaku began her acting career in a TV drama series before appearing in numerous films including Funuke Show Some Love, You Losers!, Wandering Home and Till Death Do Us What? She has won many awards during her career, including the Best Supporting Actress of the Japan Academy Prize.

Arata Iura made his debut in the leading role of After Life, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. Since then, he has continued his career in movies and TV dramas, winning the Best Actor Award at the 22nd Japanese Professional Movie Awards and the 8th Osaka Asian Film Festival for his performance in 11.25 The Day He Chose His Own Fate.

Previous Women in Motion Talks

Emilia Clarke, Carey Mulligan, Eva Longoria… the Talks have welcomed many leading figures from the film world. Watch the highlights from some of the most memorable discussions.