GAGA Corporation, in collaboration with Japan’s Bunbuku and the U.K.’s Number 9 Films, will be distributing and producing the film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s debut novel, A Pale View of Hills. The movie is slated for release in Japan in the summer of 2025, with production already underway. The project is being executive-produced by Ishiguro himself and directed by Kei Ishikawa, known for his work on films like Gukoroku: Traces of Sin and A Man, both of which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Leading the producing team of the film is U-Next’s Hiroyuki Ishiguro. The movie features Suzu Hirose, known for her roles in Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Our Little Sister and The Third Murder, in a pivotal role. A Pale View of Hills is a mystery drama that delves into the hidden memories of a Japanese widow, exploring the intersecting timelines of post-war Nagasaki in the 1950s and England in the 1980s.
Bunbuku, the production company behind Kore-eda’s award-winning film Monster, will be involved in bringing Ishiguro’s novel to the screen. On the other hand, Number 9 Films, known for titles like Living and Carol, will also play a key role in the production. Ishiguro himself penned the screenplay for Living, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Having been born in Nagasaki and moving to England at a young age, Ishiguro received the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize for his debut novel, showcasing his talent as a writer.
Expressing his excitement for the adaptation, Ishiguro praised Ishikawa’s previous work and his approach to storytelling. The author commended Ishikawa’s ability to bring out nuanced performances from his actors and his skillful screenplay, which captures the mystery and emotion of the story. Ishiguro highlighted the relevance of the film’s themes, noting how it reflects the aspirations and anxieties of a generation shaped by the aftermath of World War Two and the atomic bombings. As the movie coincides with the 80th anniversary of these historic events, Ishiguro emphasized the continued significance of exploring these narratives on screen.
Ishikawa, the director, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to adapt Ishiguro’s novel and conveyed his respect for the author’s vision of seeing the story brought to life by the younger generation in Japan. Hiroyuki Ishiguro from U-Next shared his long-standing dream of turning the novel into a Japanese-British co-production, despite facing challenges like the pandemic and ongoing global conflicts during the project’s development.
The adaptation of A Pale View of Hills marks a significant collaboration between talented filmmakers and a renowned author, promising to bring an evocative and thought-provoking story to the screen. With its exploration of memory, history, and human resilience, the film adaptation is poised to make a powerful impact on audiences worldwide.
Leave a Reply