It has been announced that Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel, A Pale View of Hills, will be adapted into a film by GAGA Corporation in collaboration with Japan’s Bunbuku and the U.K.’s Number 9 Films. This upcoming movie is set to be released in Japan in the summer of 2025, with production already underway. One of the key figures in this project is director Kei Ishikawa, known for his work on films such as Gukoroku: Traces of Sin and A Man, both of which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Additionally, U-Next’s Hiroyuki Ishiguro will be leading the producing team for A Pale View of Hills.
Actress Suzu Hirose, who has previously starred in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Our Little Sister and The Third Murder, has been chosen to play a significant role in the film. A Pale View of Hills is described as a mystery drama that delves into the secret memories of a Japanese widow that span across post-war Nagasaki in the 1950s and England in the 1980s. The story promises to unravel the yearnings, hopes, and fears of a generation shaped by the aftermath of World War Two and the shadow of the atomic bombings.
Bunbuku, the production company behind Kore-eda’s award-winning film Monster, brings their expertise to this project. On the other hand, Number 9 Films, known for titles like Living and Carol, has a successful track record in the film industry. Notably, Ishiguro himself penned the screenplay for Living, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Kazuo Ishiguro, himself an accomplished author originally from Nagasaki, expressed his admiration for director Ishikawa and his dedication to bringing A Pale View of Hills to life on the big screen. Ishiguro praised Ishikawa’s mastery in filmmaking and his ability to draw nuanced performances from actors. The author emphasized the relevance of the story’s themes to current events, particularly as the project coincides with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
The Director’s Vision
Director Ishikawa shared his excitement for the opportunity to adapt Ishiguro’s novel into a film, highlighting the author’s encouragement for a younger generation of filmmakers to undertake the project. For Ishikawa, the journey of turning A Pale View of Hills into a movie is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the team and the special nature of the story itself.
Producer Hiroyuki Ishiguro expressed his long-standing dream to adapt A Pale View of Hills into a feature film, especially as a Japanese-British co-production. Despite facing challenges such as the global pandemic and ongoing conflicts worldwide, the team remains committed to realizing this cinematic adaptation.
The adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s A Pale View of Hills represents a significant milestone in the convergence of Japanese and British cinematic talents. With a talented cast and crew on board, this film promises to captivate audiences with its compelling storytelling and exploration of complex themes. As the project continues to unfold, it is clear that Ishiguro’s timeless narrative will be brought to life in a new and intriguing light on the silver screen.
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