Shinji Higuchi: The Man Who Loves Destroying Bullet Trains on Screen

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The Japanese director Shinji Higuchi derives aesthetic charm from high-speed trains, which he then demolishes in his movies, creating an intriguing artistic contradiction that is a defining feature of his most recent work, “Bullet Train Explosion,” as well as a significant aspect of his esteemed film career.

Higuchi expresses a fascination for order, precision, and stability, yet he also admits to wanting to disrupt it. He shares this sentiment about the Japan-based Netflix film during the APAC showcase in Tokyo with EbMaster.

In this movie, the main plot revolves around bombs that will explode immediately if the speed of the named train falls below 100 kilometers per hour. A criminal is threatening to detonate these explosives unless they receive 100 billion Japanese Yen ($660 million), creating a frantic race against time for the crew, passengers, and railway staff to defuse the bomb before it goes off.

Before the “Bullet Train Explosion,” Higuchi was well-known for his proficiency in tokusatsu, or Japanese practical special effects, particularly involving trains in his action-packed destruction scenes. He collaborated on “Shin Godzilla” (2016), which included the devastation of a Keikyu 800 series train, and earlier, “Doomsday: The Sinking of Japan” (2006) portrayed the destruction of a Fujikyuko 5000 series train. His skill in special effects can be traced back to his groundbreaking work on “Gamera: Guardian of the Universe” (1995), marking the beginning of his lifelong passion for visually stunning depictions of catastrophe.

In a contemporary twist, Higuchi’s ‘Bullet Train Explosion’ revisits the theme of a classic Japanese crime film from 1975 that left a lasting impact on him during his childhood years. Reflecting on the original ‘Bullet Train’, he recalls, ‘It was the first non-children’s movie I ever saw.’ At just ten years old, he sneaked out of school to watch it. The narrative revolved around a criminal seeking redemption for their wrongdoings.

Watching the film as a child had a profound impact on Higuchi, resonating deeply with him due to its themes of crime and punishment. He acknowledges a personal connection, remarking that the story reminded him of his first act of disobedience towards his parents. “I could see myself in that narrative,” he says, “and it showed me the potential consequences of wrongdoing. That experience left an indelible mark on me.

Renowned for his groundbreaking work in visual effects and tokusatsu, Higuchi’s creative mind is fueled by the excitement of breaking conventions. He expresses that witnessing something unexpected happening to him brings immense joy and exhilaration, a peculiar kind that leaves him elated.

In my role as a movie buff, I’ve found adapting this story for today’s audience to be an intriguing challenge. As Higuchi points out, Japan’s social landscape has undergone a profound transformation over the past five decades. This shift led our creative team to reevaluate who would serve as the film’s adversary in contemporary Japan. After engaging with the younger generations, we found that they harbored a sense of despair about the future. This insight inspired us significantly in shaping our narrative.

From a technical perspective, Higuchi talks about his method of merging real-world effects with digital ones, pointing out that when he started in the industry, tokusatsu was frequently mocked by filmmakers. “They would laugh at, mock tokusatsu. You know, ‘Those are like for kids, so we don’t want to use that in my valuable movie,'” he reminisces. His ambition has been to reconcile this gap: “What I aim to achieve is to take the finest aspects from both realms and combine them.

For Higuchi, the grandeur or magnitude is a crucial aspect of cinematic experience. He admires things that are overly dramatic and finds it captivating when he watches something on a massive scale. In his opinion, there’s no point in going to the movies if the scale isn’t substantial. This appreciation doesn’t just pertain to visuals but also applies to the emotional rollercoaster experienced by the main character throughout the film.

In simpler terms, “Bullet Train Explosion” is a clear nod or tribute to its 1975 counterpart. When asked if it’s more of a homage or a reinvention, director Higuchi suggests it leans more towards being a homage. Initially, they had a different title, but as they continued creating, the film started resembling the original more and more. Eventually, they chose to use a similar title. The movie also contains subtle Japanese references that long-time audiences will notice, such as a judo team among the train passengers – a detail present in the original film.

Higuchi admits to having caught nearly all film adaptations of high-speed train catastrophes, including the latest Brad Pitt production that he finds “amusing.” He’s curious about checking out the 1980 Indian movie “The Burning Train,” a version he hasn’t had a chance to watch yet.

Nevertheless, the director seems to keep things mysterious regarding his upcoming work, hinting that it’s intricate and packed with many elements.

“Bullet Train Explosion” streams on Netflix from April 23.

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2025-04-22 12:18