With more than half a month left before the end of the year, the Mainichi Shimbun's entertainment section and major sports newspapers finally announced the nomination list for the annual film awards they host - the Japan Mainichi Film Awards.
As the earliest announced Mainichi Film Awards among the three major film awards in Japan, it has always attracted the attention of ordinary people and all parties in the film industry. Even young people in school will discuss the nominated films with their peers.
The most surprising thing in this Mainichi Film Awards is a dark horse called "That Summer, the Sea of Tranquility", which won the best film, best director, best screenwriter, and best soundtrack.
Best Newcomer Award, nominated for 5 awards, leading the way, far more than other films in the same period!
Even "The Story of Hachiko", which has a box office of over 4 billion, was only nominated for two awards: Best Director and Best Screenplay, not to mention "The Life of Hanako Kiryuin", "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun"
》 and so on.
Nagayama Naoki was also surprised, because he remembered that when he submitted the application, he did not submit "That Summer, the Sea of Tranquility" because it had not been released at that time.
After looking through the list, Naoki Nagayama was even more surprised that there was another film "Hard Rock" (Shounen Rock) that was nominated for Best Actress. It was actually a movie starring Kondo Masahiko.
Is this the credit of Johnny? Or is it the real strength of the movie? It remains to be discussed.
However, seeing the announcement of the nomination list, Naoki Nagayama can already imagine how excited some people are~
"Nani?! What's going on!"
Toei's Toshitaka Yamamura was naturally one of the people who was so excited that he slapped the table.
"Why did this movie get so many nominations?!"
Everyone in the conference room lowered their heads like geese, seeming to be studying a certain pattern on the table that was so beautiful. As a confidant, Toru Nakano could only speak bravely:
"Minister Yamamura, when I saw this list this morning, I contacted several judges."
Toru Nakano tried to calm down his voice: "It is said that Masaki Kobayashi and Masahiro Shinoda have contacted other friends in the industry to canvass votes for this movie."
"Why? This isn't their movie? It's not Shochiku's!" Toshitaka Yamamura was even more puzzled, "Does Naoki Nagayama have a personal relationship with these two great directors?"
"Minister~" Another subordinate also spoke, "As far as I know, we are just acquaintances, but I also contacted the director I know. His original words were, 'Such a novel, touching and artistically beautiful film.
, not recommending it would be an insult to the film director himself!'"
Speaking of this, Toshitaka Yamamura understood. On the one hand, it was recommended by veteran directors in the industry, especially one of them who led the new wave movement in Japanese films. On the other hand, this film really captured the hearts of the directors.
"K-soo! These artists!"
No matter how he bows to the box office, a film director still has a dream of being an artist in his heart. Otherwise, how can a director be called a film artist?
Seeing that Toshitaka Yamamura had regained his composure, Toru Nakano asked: "Minister, in the future, will our "The Life of Hanako Kiryuin" still strive for the best film award?"
"Are you an idiot?" Yamamura Toshitaka was angered by this sentence again. "So many major production companies have not suppressed this movie before, and then compete with it? Does it make sense?"
"?So"
Yamamura Toshitaka looked at the list carefully again,
In fact, in addition to live-action movies, there are two animated movies that have also been shortlisted, namely "Mobile Suit Gundam III" by Japan's Sunrise Co., Ltd. and "Doraemon: Nobita's Grand Magic Mirror" by Toho.
But it’s impossible for these two movies to compete for Best Actor and Actor. If they were chosen, would Nobita and Doraemon accept the award?
"Using all our resources, we will compete for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director! If nothing else, we must beat Kadokawa's "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun."
"Hi!"
At the same time, the entire Japanese film industry is attracted by this nomination list. Film production companies, distribution companies, large and small, and even the largest capital groups in the film industry are all taken aback by this dark horse.
Toho's planning department is having an emergency meeting, and they also want to find out who pushed "That Summer, the Sea of Tranquility". It is obviously just a low-budget art film. Although art films are easy to win awards,
But a directing award and a screenwriting award are enough, so why are there five nominations all at once?
And this Naoki Nagayama, isn’t he from Shuyu Pictures?
"The Tale of Hachiko" has obviously been suppressed, so why does another movie appear?!
Kadokawa Haruki was also looking at the list in the conference room. In fact, he knew about it the night before. As soon as the results came out, a familiar judge called him.
"Mr. Morikawa, "That Summer, the Sea of Tranquility" was not distributed through Kadokawa, right?"
"Hey, because it was an art film, Naoki Nagayama chose to release it in Iwanami theaters."
Isao Morikawa bowed slightly, with some nervousness in his tone. If it was because of him that Kadokawa lost such an award-winning film, it would be a major mistake.
"It's an art film." Kadokawa Haruki felt a little pity, "I wish I had gone to see Naoki-san when it was released."
"Well, there's nothing we can do now, but our "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun" must win the Best Actress. If it's the Best Movie, we can also try for it. After all, this dark horse has a box office. By the way, the box office
How much?"
Yoshimura Otomo is on the phone with Nagayama Naoki,
"Zhi Shumulang, 600 million!"
"Nani?"
"The first month's box office of "That Summer, Sea of Tranquility"!"
Nagayama Naoki, who was eating breakfast, felt completely untroubled, even a little bored.
"Only 600 million? What's so exciting about that? Not even half of the earliest "Ghost Story"~"
Yoshimura Otomo was stunned by Nagayama Naoki's attitude, and then realized that his president had a problem with the movie's box office:
"Naoki-san, this is already a good result! Because it was released in Iwanami theaters for most of the first half of the month, it only took about a week to be rolled out to theaters across the country."
"In this case, the final result may reach more than 2 billion?"
Nagayama Naoki finally got a little interested. He is no longer very sensitive to numbers below 2 billion. After all, he has more than 2 billion yen in his own account~
However, Yoshimura Otomo is not so confident: "It may be a bit difficult for this art film. However, Naoki-san's final income should be similar to that of "Hachiko Monogatari."
Brothers also have to settle accounts openly. This film was written and directed by Nagayama Naoki himself, and it was distributed without Kadokawa channels. It is equivalent to an independent film, so naturally all the profits can be attributed to himself. As for Yoshimura Otomo, at most he is in the film
If you show up, you can get a reward.
"Hahaha, if you think about it this way, it's actually pretty good~" The assets are about to increase again~
Then we talked about the movie selection for a while, and Yoshimura Otomo reminded Nagayama Naoki,
After the final selection, I must thank the two directors Masaki Kobayashi and Masahiro Shinoda. Without their strong recommendation, there would not be so many rankings.
I also asked about Naoki Nagayama’s relationship with them.
"It doesn't matter. I just met them a few times at the preview screenings of a few movies." Nagayama Naoki was also curious, "By the way, I don't even have their phone numbers. How can I contact them?"
"Trouble"
"Naoki-san, are you kidding?" Yoshimura Otomo couldn't believe it, because neither director would necessarily be so supportive of their own son.
"Of course I'm not joking. It's definitely just an acquaintance!"
"Then why are they so helpful?"
"Um" Naoki Nagayama thought for a long time, "Because of the mutual appreciation between geniuses?"
"." It's really shameless
"Hahaha, Otomo-san, could you please help me get their phone number? I will contact them."
While waiting for Yoshimura Otomo to get his contact information, Nagayama Naoki cleaned up his kitchen, then walked out of the courtyard, raised his hands to cover his eyes and looked at the sun in the sky,
"It's such a nice weather~except it's a bit cold~"
Because the mountains block the cold current, most of the winter in Tokyo is sunny and cold. The warm sunshine shines on the body, which makes people feel the warmth, and then is taken away by a gust of cold wind.
Nagayama Naoki stayed in the yard for a while wearing a woolen sweater, and soon couldn't help but ran indoors and felt the warm hot air again. The air conditioner was naturally turned on. Even though it was early in the morning, he couldn't treat him badly.
You are the one~
After a while, a call came from Otomo Fangcun.
As an industry insider, especially a film production company that has achieved some success, it is very easy to find the director's contact information. Yoshimura Otomo directly asked Kadokawa's Director Isao Morita for it.
I also learned that both directors have no movie plans in the near future and should be at home.
Nagayama Naoki hesitated for a while, but still made the call. He also wanted to know why the two recommended their own movies.
"Ding-a-ling-ding-a-ling-a-ling."
"Moses, Moses, this is Xiaolin's house~" The voice coming from the microphone was an old female voice, not her own.
"Hello, I'm Naoki Nagayama from Shuyu Pictures. I'm calling because I want to talk to director Masaki Kobayashi." Naoki Nagayama introduced himself in a polite manner.
"Hi, please wait a moment." The person on the other end of the phone didn't ask much. After all, if he could ask for his home phone number, he was from the film industry. Usually, it was about the movies that Masaki Kobayashi was approached.
Soon, an energetic voice came from the other end of the phone: "Moses Moses, Zhi Shusang?"
"Hi, Masaki-san, good morning. It's really rude of me to call you." Naoki Nagayama still greeted him politely.
"No way, I was so happy when I received a call from Naoki-san~" Naoki Kobayashi spoke in a very cheerful tone, "I have always paid close attention to Naoki-san, and I am also looking forward to getting to know Naoki-san better.
each other."
For a moment, Naoki Nagayama had the urge to throw the phone down. What was going on with this uncomfortable tone? Isn't this old guy really a crook?
But after all, he made the call with a purpose. Nagayama Naoki endured it:
"Haha, then I'm really flattered." Nagayama Naoki turned to the topic, "It's Masaki-san. The nomination list for the Mainichi Film Awards has come out. I'm very grateful for Masaki-san's strong support."
"Haha, besides being grateful, you also don't understand, right?" As expected of an experienced old man, he understands other people's psychology very well.
"Hey, I do have a little doubt." Nagayama Naoki looked outside, "Masaki-san, the weather is very nice today. Do you have time to come out and have a cup of tea?"
"Oh? Do you want some tea? It sounds like the weather is indeed nice." Kobayashi Masaki thought for a moment, "But if it's not good tea, I won't drink it!"
"Of course it's good tea~"
Nagayama Naoki is a little speechless, with such a child-like temperament~
"Hahaha, that's good~"
"Do you know Masaki-san about the Samadhi House on Ginza Street? It has a green roof and is a very antique-style building."
"That palace-like place? The place where you and Tanaka Yuko were photographed on a date?"
"That's not a date." Nagayama Naoki wanted to explain.
"Well~ It's understandable that young people are a bit more romantic. Didn't I see you with Yuko Tanaka and Kananko Higuchi at the first preview~"
"Just ordinary friends." Nagayama Naoki began to regret inviting Kobayashi Masaki to have tea.
"Hi~ Hi~ Just an ordinary friend who came out of a hotel~ Hahahahaha" Kobayashi Masaki couldn't stop laughing, and then asked, "Are you going to call Shinoda Masahiro again in the future?"
"Yes."
As people grow older, Kobayashi Masaki certainly knew that if Naoki Nagayama invited him to tea because of the selection, then both of them would definitely make an appointment.
"Then there's no need to call, I'll just take him there~"
"How embarrassing~" Nagayama Naoki is an honest person, "Then I'll trouble Masaki-san."
"Haha, see you later~"
After Naoki Nagayama put down the phone, he always felt that today's tea trip would be strange, but he didn't have time to think too much. He immediately called Katsuo Yasui of Samadhi House and asked them to prepare the private room in advance, and he had to entertain the guests.
.
Just when Naoki Nagayama was worrying about the upcoming selection for his first movie award, Akina Nakamori ushered in the first major event in her idol career.
In Warner's Japanese music department office, the direction of Akina's next song has been determined, "1/2 Myth". The lyricist is still Masayu Matano, the author of "Girl A", and the composer is Osawa Yushiyuki.
Even now that "Second Love" has successfully reached the top of the charts, Akina's promotion team still decided to maintain the style of one sweet song and one rebellious song. Perhaps this variety will become Nakamori Akina's biggest feature.
But after the meeting, Nobuo Tomioka pulled Akina Nakamori to a corner.
"Akina-chan, are you a little dissatisfied with the arranged songs? In fact, Akina-chan doesn't really like such rebellious songs, right?"
Although she did think so in her heart, when facing the producer who has been responsible for her own promotion work, Nakamori Akina still said thoughtfully: "Although I am a little reluctant, this is work after all, and I am a professional producer.
Very approved.”
Nobuo Tomioka looked at Akina Nakamori, a stubborn but sensible girl idol, and was silent for a moment: "Akina-san, have you ever thought about moving to Japan?"
