‘A Pale View of Hills,’ Debut Novel by Kazuo Ishiguro, Now Filming for Japan’s Bunbuku and U.K.’s Number 9

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the intricate narratives of Kazuo Ishiguro’s works, the news of “A Pale View of Hills” being adapted into a feature film feels like a long-awaited reunion with an old friend. The fact that this adaptation is being helmed by Japan’s Ishikawa Kei, a director known for his masterful storytelling in films such as “Gukoroku -Traces of Sin” and “A Man,” fills me with a sense of anticipation that borders on giddiness.


“Kazuo Ishiguro’s first novel, ‘A Pale View of Hills,’ which won the Nobel Prize for Literature, is currently being transformed into a movie. Production on this film is underway with direction from Japanese director Ishikawa Kei.”

The movie is brought to you by U-Next, a top Japanese streaming service provider, while it’s produced jointly by Bunbuku alongside Number 9 Films, a British production house run by Stephen Woolley (“The Crying Game”) and Elizabeth Karlsen.

Gaga Corporation is set to manage the distribution of the movie, once it’s completed this coming summer in 2025, within Japan. As of now, no sales agent or overseas distributor has been appointed for this project.

As a cinephile who’s had the pleasure of reviewing films for some time now, I must say that Number Nine Films truly outdid themselves with their latest production, “Living,” an adaptation of Kurosawa Akira’s classic film “Ikiru.” This masterpiece, written by Kazuo Ishiguro and starring the incomparable Bill Nighy, garnered a well-deserved recognition, earning two Oscar nominations. In this movie, life, mortality, and the pursuit of meaning are explored with an artistry that leaves a lasting impact on any viewer who dares to witness it.

Gaga characterizes the movie as follows: “It’s a captivating blend of mystery and drama that reveals the hidden memories of a Japanese widow. These memories span two distinct time periods – post-war Nagasaki, Japan in the 1950s and England during the end of the Cold War era in the 1980s.”

Published in 1982, “A Pale View of Hills” is a narrative about a middle-aged Japanese woman living a solitary life in England. During a visit from her younger daughter, they reminisce about the tragic suicide of their older sister and the mother’s struggles to adapt to a foreign land. Actress Hirose Suzu, known for her roles in “Our Little Sister” and “The Third Murder,” both directed by Kore-eda Hirokazu, portrays the younger daughter in this story.

Kazuo Ishiguro hails from Nagasaki, Japan, and relocated to the United Kingdom when he was just five years old, alongside his parents. His educational journey unfolded in the UK, yet Japanese remained his language of choice at home. In conversations, Ishiguro often expresses that his double cultural heritage played a profound role in shaping his literary works. Additionally, he frequently mentions that the portrayal of Japan in his initial two novels is largely fictitious.

Anthony Ishiguro, a British citizen, gained significant literary acclaim with his 1989 novel “The Remains of the Day,” which is set among the British upper class. This book was later turned into a film produced by Columbia Pictures and directed by James Ivory, released in 1993.

Director Ishikawa is renowned for “Gukoroku -Traces of Sin” and “A Man,” both of which were first shown at the Venice Film Festival. In an interview, Ishikawa stated, “The author’s words encouraged me to take on this challenging novel: ‘I have always believed that this story should be brought to life as a film by young Japanese directors.'”

In the upcoming film production, Ishiguro Hiroyuki from U-Next will serve as the team leader. Notably, he has previously worked on the animated film “Belle,” which was premiered at Cannes and was directed by Hosoda Mamoru.

Book, or Bunbuku in this case, boasts an impressive resume that encompasses prestigious projects such as “Monster,” a film that won the Best Screenplay award at Cannes, and “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House,” a Netflix series also helmed by Kore-eda.

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2024-08-23 09:16