映画制作日記 #23 「JR四国の心意気」 | Production Notes #23 "The Spirit of JR Shikoku”

Haruka, the main character of the story, works for JR Shikoku. She works at Minami Komatsushima Station on the Mugi Line. Naturally, I had to get the cooperation of JR Shikoku. Without their cooperation, I would have had to make drastic changes to the content of the film. Above all, I would have lost the framework of the story itself, which is told by comparing life to a rail. I knew from previous experience that the hurdles to filming a railroad were very high. In order to make the film, we had to ask for their cooperation at all costs. The assistant director of the city and the Tokushima prefectural government carefully communicated the details of the project and negotiated with them to get their cooperation (I was really happy about this). The public relations person in charge of the project was also very understanding of the film industry, and when I suddenly asked him to film that part of the film, he wrinkled his brow, made a "cross" with his hand, and then made a big circle with his hand and smilingly said, "Please do. I became more and more fond of JR Shikoku. One day, I would like to return the favor by making a commercial for JR Shikoku with all my heart.

今作の主人公はるかの勤務先はJR四国という設定。勤務地は牟岐線(むぎせん)の南小松島駅。当然のことながらJR四国の協力をいただくことになった。この協力なしには作品の内容を大幅に変更しなくてはいけない。何より人生をレールに例えて語っていく物語の骨子そのものがなくなってしまうことになる。鉄道の撮影はこれまでの経験でハードルがとても高いことを知っていた。映画を作るためには何としても協力いただかなければならない。助監督の市と徳島県庁が丁寧に内容を伝え、交渉したことで協力を得ることができた(これは本当に嬉しかった)。担当いただいた広報の方がこれがまた映画というものへの理解がとてもあって、つい、現場のノリで「あそこも撮りたい」と急にお願いしたりすると、一度眉間にシワを寄せ、手でバツを出したかと思うとその手を大きく丸にして「どうぞどうぞ」とにこやかに応えてくれた。僕はますますJR四国が大好きになった。いつかJR四国のCMなどを思いきりつくって恩返ししたいと思う。