novelraw Chapter 168: Recognition from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Publicity Department! Press Conference Begins! Shocked Reporters!
Chapter 168: Recognition from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Publicity Department! Press Conference Begins! Shocked Reporters!
Tokyo, Nagatacho.
The winter sun pierced through the clouds, spilling slantingly onto the somewhat quaint office building of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Publicity Department, plating a solemn and majestic golden color on this realm symbolizing official will.
Inside the meeting room, the air permeated with a faint aroma of tea and ink, seemingly isolated in two different worlds from the noisy metropolis outside the window.
A massive rectangular conference table, was wiped so clean it could reflect people, reflecting those lamps radiating warm yellow light on the ceiling.
At this moment, a group of people sat around the table.
Most of them were already at the age of knowing their heaven-ordained destiny, frost dyeing their temples, the traces of years and experience carved between their eyebrows.
They were the helmsmen of various important posts under the publicity department, some responsible for the censorship and guidance of movies, some grasping the mouthpiece and pulse of news, some supervising the screens and frequency bands of television and radio, some reviewing the pages and thoughts of manga and publishing, and even more, keenly capturing the subtle fluctuations of social public opinion.
This was an end-of-year routine meeting, aimed at summarizing and evaluating the publicity work of the past year.
The discussion had entered its final stage, the atmosphere turning from the initial rigor to somewhat relaxed.
The head Publicity Department Minister, a slightly thin elder wearing gold-rimmed glasses, lightly tapped the table surface, making a crisp sound. His gaze peacefully swept over everyone, his voice carrying a calmness and indifference of being in a high position for a long time: "Everyone, regarding the various publicity works of this year, everyone also gave a detailed report. Overall, the results are brilliant, especially in the cohesiveness of national spirit and the elevation of cultural confidence, playing indelible contributions."
He paused, casting his gaze towards the person sitting on his right hand side, that Deputy Minister Fujiwara Hideaki whose hair was combed meticulously, his eyebrows revealing rigor and seriousness, a faint smile surfacing on his face: "However, everyone seated here, regarding some new phenomena that appeared in social public opinion since the second half of the year, as well as the impact they brought, what views do you have?"
As his voice fell a slight commotion rang out in the meeting room.
"Your Excellency Minister, I personally believe, since the second half of the year, the elevation of the national unity consciousness, is inextricably linked to the boost from a series of cultural products."
The Section Chief of the Film Publicity Section, a man in his early forties wearing thick black-rimmed glasses, was the first to open his mouth, his voice steady and powerful.
"Especially those cheering squad phenomena initiated by regional levels, yet ultimately arousing widespread resonance on a national scale, they effectively alleviated the indifference and alienation brought about by metropolitan life, reactivating that identity towards hometown and family affection in the hearts of the citizens. Even, through these cheering activities, many relatives who were originally separated in two places due to work, also found the bond of communication and maintaining affection again."
His tone carried emotion as he spoke again: "This kind of bottom-up emotional cohesion, is far more authentic, and much more vital than any top-down propaganda slogans. It's like a warm current, silently warming this society of ours that seems icy cold, yet in reality yearns for connection."
"En, well said." His Excellency the Minister nodded slightly, an appreciative smile appearing on his face.
He turned his head, looking at the Television Program Deliberation Section Chief sitting opposite, a middle-aged man whose face always hung an amiable smile: "Takahashi-kun, regarding this phenomenon, do you have anything to add?"
Section Chief Takahashi immediately sat up straight, the smile on his face blossoming all the more brilliantly: "Your Excellency Minister, what the Film Publicity Section Chief said is extremely right. I have a set of data here, perhaps can more intuitively reflect this point."
He pulled out a report from the folder in front of him, respectfully handing it over: "Since the airing of the variety show 'Kasou Taishou', the letters from citizens we received, especially letters from regional family audiences, have increased in number by three times. The content of the letters mostly express praise towards that pure joy and interaction between family members in the program. Even quite a few audiences indicated, this program, let them rediscover the warmth of family again, and also let them start trying to participate in some beneficial physical and mental activities together with family and friends. This phenomenon, undoubtedly played an immense promoting role in the communication among national relatives."
"'Kasou Taishou'..." His Excellency the Minister muttered to himself, a trace of thought flashing in his eyes.
He picked up the report, casually flipping through a few pages, a faint smile surfacing on his face: "I have also watched this program, it is indeed very interesting. It presented the simplest creativity, in the purest form, yet could trigger such massive social resonance, it is truly rare. Being able to produce such a program, the producer has indelible merit ah."
Hearing the praise of His Excellency the Minister, everyone in the meeting room nodded in succession.
They were civil servants within the system, naturally understanding the deep meaning behind these words of the Minister.
In their view, this program not only brought viewership ratings, even more importantly brought social value, this is true "political achievement".
"Speaking of which, Fujiwara-kun." His Excellency the Minister cast his gaze towards Fujiwara Hideaki again, the smile on his face growing milder: "I remember this program, back then was exactly you who recommended it to me. You said back then, this program, as well as its producer, would all bring a brand new trend for our Nippon. Now looking at it, your vision is indeed unique ah."
Fujiwara Hideaki immediately lowered his head modestly saying: "These are all the growth of the nationals in the field of art after the long-term guidance of the Minister."
And these flattering words merely made this Minister who was almost over seventy years old smile: "Speak to the point, my Excellency Deputy Minister."
"Hai." Fujiwara Hideaki smiled, and then spoke again: "I merely saw on that young man, that talent and breadth of mind that transcends the era, transcends ordinary people. He is called Nohara Hiroshi, a young man who is only twenty-three years old."
"He is not only the producer of 'Kasou Taishou'." Fujiwara Hideaki paused, his tone carrying admiration: "He is also the author of the manga 'YuYu Hakusho', a work that possesses extremely high popularity among the teenager group, whose sales have reached a phenomenal level;
he is also the planner of the urban legend anthology series 'Tales of the Unusual', this series successfully created 'urban legend' this brand new horror theme, deeply loved by young audiences;
concurrently, he is also the screenwriter of the late-night animation 'Yamishibai', relying on its unique Japanese horror style, winning a massive amount of die-hard fans."
When Fujiwara Hideaki recounted that series of jaw-dropping achievements of Nohara Hiroshi like enumerating his family valuables, the atmosphere in the meeting room, instantly transformed from the previous tranquility, into a patch of whispering full of surprise and shock.
"What?! That author of 'YuYu Hakusho', is actually the same person?!"
"Oh my god! He is actually also the creator of 'urban legends'?! No wonder 'Tales of the Unusual' is so popular!"
"He's only twenty-three years old ah! This... this is simply a monster right?!"
Those various Section Chiefs who ordinarily prided themselves on having rich experiences and being knowledgeable, at this moment all blankly looked at Fujiwara Hideaki, those faces, written full of unbelievable horror.
They never expected, a young brat, actually could within so many fields, achieve such eye-catching achievements all together!
His Excellency the Minister also similarly raised his eyebrows in surprise, he looked at Fujiwara Hideaki, a trace of inquiry flashing in his eyes: "Actually there is such a multi-talented young man? This is indeed beyond my expectation. Seems like, our publicity department, indeed needs more fresh blood like this ah."
Right at this time, sitting in the corner, the Section Chief responsible for film publicity, seemingly suddenly thought of something, he violently sat up straight, his face written full of unsuppressible excitement.
"Your Excellency Minister! Deputy Minister Fujiwara! I... I have another piece of latest news regarding Nohara Hiroshi here!" His voice trembled slightly due to excitement: "It's him! It's Nohara Hiroshi! He is also the true general director and screenwriter of that 'Seven Samurai' that recently caused a massive uproar in the film industry!"
"What?!"
This news, like a sudden thunderclap on level ground, instantly resounded explosively with a bang in the meeting room!
Everyone was dumbfounded!
"Seven Samurai"!
This movie that recently caused a massive dispute in the entire Nippon society, yet after premiering on Christmas Eve, word-of-mouth exploded, box office soaring crazily, actually... was actually also the work of that Nohara Hiroshi?!
"He... he actually also shoots movies?!"
"And it's even 'Seven Samurai' this kind of, epic masterpiece that redefined samurai and Bushido?!"
"Oh my god! I just went to the cinema to watch this movie yesterday! It... it's simply a masterpiece ah! I never thought, a story about samurai, actually could... be told so magnificently plunging, yet so directly pointing at the heart!"
The meeting room instantly boiled over!
Those various Section Chiefs who were ordinarily unsmiling, at this moment were also somewhat shocked.
"Your Excellency Minister! Do you know?!" The Film Publicity Section Chief was so excited he was incoherent: "The Christmas Eve first-day box office of 'Seven Samurai', broke through one hundred and eighty million yen! In merely one week's time, the box office already broke through the one billion yen mark! This... this is no longer a simple 'massive hit'! This is clearly... a true box office myth!"
"Moreover, now the entire film critic circle of Nippon, is praising this movie! They say, it was born out of samurai films, yet transcends samurai films, previous samurai films, were all just kendo films, and it, is the true samurai film! They even defined the samurai films before 'Seven Samurai', altogether as 'kendo films of the pre-Kurosawa Eiji period', and after 'Seven Samurai', only then does it deserve the appellation of 'samurai film'!"
"This... this is simply... this is an unprecedented pioneering work in our Nippon film history ah!"
The more the Film Publicity Section Chief spoke the more excited he got, he even couldn't help but pat his thigh, his face written full of the pride of sharing the glory!
"Yeah! Your Excellency Minister!" The Television Program Deliberation Section Chief also chimed in echoing, his face written full of excitement: "Our Nippon's economy, is now already catching up to the US! Didn't expect, even our cultural products, can also reach such heights! This... this is simply too inspiring!"
"That's right! Our Nippon, is finally going to become a, 'cultural powerhouse' worthy of the name!"
"We can even say, our Nippon, is finally going to become a, 'normal country' in the true sense!"
"I really hope this 'Seven Samurai' surpasses those Hollywood movies of the US ah!"
For a time a wave of enthusiastic echoing sounds rang out in the meeting room.
On everyone's faces, rippled a kind of weird pride, as well as a kind of concealed yet extremely complex arrogance.
They looked at that box office report, looked at those praises regarding "Seven Samurai", looked at those overflowing compliments regarding Nohara Hiroshi, they seemingly already saw in the near future, Nippon's cultural products will sweep across the entire world like a tidal wave, making everyone look sideways at them, sigh in admiration for them!
"Cough cough!"
However, right in this喧囂 full of fanatical pride, His Excellency the Minister yet suddenly lightly coughed.
That sound wasn't loud, yet like a morning bell or evening drum, instantly pulling this boiling meeting room back to tranquility again.
He looked at everyone's flushed red faces, his eyes carrying a trace of warning, yet couldn't disguise that heartfelt pride.
"Everyone, some words, cannot be spoken randomly ah." His Excellency the Minister plainly opened his mouth, his voice carrying an implicitly profound reminder.
"However, what you guys said, is indeed right. Our Nippon is inherently an economic powerhouse, a cultural powerhouse!" On his face surfaced a faint expectation.
He turned his head casting his gaze toward Fujiwara Hideaki.
"Fujiwara-kun, seems like this time, you have excavated a piece of, true uncut jade for our publicity department again ah."
His Excellency the Minister slowly stood up, he walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows of the meeting room, overlooking that steel city at his feet, sparkling in the winter sun, in those calm eyes, flashing a kind of, profoundness and decisiveness belonging to a superior.
"How about this."
His voice, like the warmest sunshine in winter, slowly spilled into everyone's heart.
"At the New Year government banquet, give him a spot. I want to personally meet this young man. After all, a young man who can bring such a massive surprise to our Nippon, our publicity department, ought to give the greatest support and cultivation."
"The future of our Nippon, ultimately has to rely on these young people to pioneer."
"He, is exactly our Nippon's, cultural hope of the new era!"
These words, like a massive bell, echoed for a long time in the meeting room.
Everyone understood tacitly.
They knew, this remark of His Excellency the Minister, wasn't just an affirmation and appreciation towards Nohara Hiroshi.
Even more so is a, regarding "cultivating newcomers", clearest signal issued to their entire publicity department, and even the entire Nippon society!
And...
Towards Nippon now, having become an economic powerhouse, marching onwards into a cultural powerhouse, and then shaking off the shackles... becoming a normal country, and even a heavy desire to be an East Asian powerhouse!
"Now our Nippon's economy is so vigorous, even the US can't hold up. If our culture also catches up, letting everyone be able to witness the great culture of our Nippon... then once there is a chance, becoming a normal country... then our Nippon, will once again become a powerhouse in a short period of time!"
"Perhaps in a few more years, our Nippon's economy can thoroughly surpass the US, telling those arrogant Yankees, who is the world's number one economic powerhouse!"
"Although we lost on the battlefield! But economically... our Nippon is invincible!"
This His Excellency the Minister with his back facing everyone, within his heart, surged a stirring like wind and thunder.
He also already began to fantasize about the beautiful future.
...
Monday morning, Tokyo was still enveloped in the un-dissipated moistness of the thin mist, the air carrying the unique crispness of winter, as if able to wash away all the worldly hubbub and noise.
However this superficial tranquility, yet was thoroughly torn apart at ten o'clock sharp in the morning, by a sudden press conference, like thunder piercing the sky, instantly sweeping across the entire Nippon.
TV Tokyo Studio 1, this stage that ordinarily carried countless glitters and dreams, at this moment yet was occupied by an unprecedented solemnity and dignity.
Hundreds of reporters from major newspapers, television stations, and magazines, densely packed the venue, their gazes, like countless sharp blades, uniformly pointed towards the speaker's podium.
The air permeated with a suppressed restlessness, every flash of the shutter, was like a silent exclamation, foreshadowing the impending storm.
On the speaker's podium, Kurosawa Eiji, this giant revered as a "living legend" in the Nippon film industry, dressed in an elegant kimono, his expression calm, like a silent mountain.
Beside him, were the seven leading actors of "Seven Samurai", they shed the tragicness and vicissitudes from the silver screen, at this moment similarly looking solemn, yet their eyes flashing anticipation towards the impending moment and a trace of imperceptible nervousness.
"Friends from the media, viewers."
Kurosawa Eiji's voice, steady and powerful like an ancient bell, slowly rang out in this suppressed silence, every word carrying an unquestionable weight, "Today, I Kurosawa Eiji, as well as all members of the 'Seven Samurai' crew, hold this press conference, in order to clarify a matter to everyone, and also to all the nationals of Nippon, an... important matter related to this movie, related to art, and also related to the truth."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces full of doubt and inquiry below the stage, subsequently, turning towards those seven young actors beside him.
Their gazes, firmly pointed towards a certain corner below the stage, as if there, lay their common belief.
"As everyone knows, this movie 'Seven Samurai', since its release, has received the profound love of everyone, obtaining extremely high evaluations and box office. Many media friends, even pushed me Kurosawa Eiji, onto the altar again, calling me the 'father of samurai films', calling this movie, 'another peak of me sharpening my sword for ten years'. Towards this, I feel deeply honored, and also feel deeply... ashamed."
"Ashamed?" A slight commotion rang out below the stage.
The reporters looked at each other in dismay, not understanding why this giant who had always been renowned for being straightforward, would say such words.
"Yes, ashamed." Kurosawa Eiji's voice grew heavier, he slowly, towards a certain direction below the stage, deeply bowed, that posture, humble like a student listening to the teachings of his mentor: "Because, this 'Seven Samurai', its true soul, true creator, true general director and screenwriter, is not me Kurosawa Eiji."
Once these words came out, the entire venue instantly was like a formless yet lethal bomb being dropped, exploding with a bang!
"Hah?!"
"What kind of joke is this?!"
"Director Kurosawa, you... what did you say?!"
After a brief dead silence, a massive uproar, accompanied by countless discussions full of horror and questioning, swept over like a tsunami!
The reporters excitedly jumped up from their seats, the voice recorders and cameras in their hands, almost shoving into Kurosawa Eiji's face.
Their faces, written full of unbelievable horror, as if hearing the most absurd lie in the world.
"Director Kurosawa! You... are you serious?! 'Seven Samurai' isn't your work, then... then whose is it?!" The senior film critic of 'Kinema Junpo', Tanaka Kenta, at this moment also disregarding his usual reservation, violently stood up from his seat, his voice carrying a trace of trembling.
Those sharp eyes of his, deadly staring at Kurosawa Eiji, trying to find even the slightest flaw from that calm face of his.
"This... this is simply absurd!"
Another film critic Sato Ichiro renowned for his "venomous tongue", also couldn't help but exclaim out loud, his face written full of annoyance after being toyed with: "Director Kurosawa! You... are you making fun of us?! A work so profound, so great, how could it not be the laborious work of a giant like you?!"
They were all absolute believers of Director Kurosawa.
After all their youth, was exactly the glorious era of this director Kurosawa Eiji, having long bowed down in admiration before this giant of samurai films!
Now this giant says he has nothing to do with "Seven Samurai".
Then their praises these past few days.
Film reviews these past few days.
The belief in their hearts.
Didn't they all become a joke!?
However, facing this torrent of public opinion sufficient to submerge anyone, Kurosawa Eiji merely peacefully raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.
His gaze once again pointed towards a certain corner below the stage, and then towards that direction, reached out his hand.
"This movie, its true soul, true creator, is right here." Kurosawa Eiji's voice clearly transmitted to everyone's ears, "He is exactly... Nohara Hiroshi."
When that slender yet straight figure, amidst countless gazes full of horror and inquiry, slowly walked onto the speaker's podium, the entire venue, once again fell into a bizarre dead silence.
Nohara Hiroshi.
That young man who at the press conference, used the "Easter egg theory" to play the entire Nippon media in the palm of his hand, yet achieved a Jedi counterattack relying on the word-of-mouth of "Seven Samurai".
That "controversial figure" who was pushed onto the altar by the media, yet questioned by some as "forgetting his roots", "elite".
He today, actually appeared here, in this way.
"Manager Nohara! You... didn't you say 'Seven Samurai' was directed by Director Kurosawa?! Why did Director Kurosawa say, this movie is your independent production?!" A reporter was the first to break the silence, his voice full of questioning.
"Yeah! Manager Nohara! In that movie, those lines full of deep meaning and conception, those profound insights into 'class' and 'humanity', those brilliant camera language and editing techniques, could it be... could it be they all came from your hands?! You are only twenty-three years old ah! This... how is this possible?!" Another reporter also closely followed to ask, his tone full of unbelievable horror.
Questions surged over like a tidal wave, every question, was like a knife dipped in poison, precisely stabbing towards Nohara Hiroshi.
"Everyone, please listen to me speak." On Nohara Hiroshi's face, was still that smile indifferent like light clouds and a gentle breeze, in those clear eyes, raising not the slightest ripple. He raised his hand signaling everyone to be quiet, and then, cast his gaze towards those seven, "samurai" actors beside him who similarly had complex expressions.
"Regarding the creation of 'Seven Samurai', I think, my companions, perhaps have more right to speak than me." He smiled, handing the microphone to the veteran actor Miyoshi Taiji who played Kambei.
Miyoshi Taiji took the microphone, he looked at those faces full of questioning below the stage, a bitter smile surfacing on his face.
"Yes, everyone."
Miyoshi Taiji's voice carried a sigh: "This 'Seven Samurai', from the script, to the storyboards, and then to every shot on set, every arrangement, were all handled by Nohara-kun, single-handedly. I... I in this life, shot movies for several decades, never seen such a young, yet so profound soul. The talent and dimension he displayed, has long surpassed his age, surpassed all of our imaginations."
"Yes! And that Kikuchiyo I played!"
Makino Shunpei playing Kikuchiyo, also took the microphone, his voice so excited it was trembling slightly: "That full of controversy, yet directly pointing at the heart character setting of his! That tragic process of him transforming from a 'clown', into a true 'samurai'! Were all Nohara-kun, personally giving him life! He let us know, the so-called 'Bushido', has never been determined by identity, but determined by the 'heart'!"
"And those lines about 'farmers'!"
The actor playing Hayashida Heihachi also excitedly supplemented: "That argument full of dialectics and sarcasm, when we read the script back then, we were all shocked! We never thought, a depiction about farmers, actually could be so authentic, so profound! This... this is all Nohara-kun's, most precise insight into, that tragic fatalism of this nation of ours!"
The seven leading actors, you a word I a word, clearly presented every detail, every flash of inspiration of Nohara Hiroshi in the movie creation, in front of everyone.
Their testimonies were more persuasive than any gorgeous rhetoric.
However, the shock on the faces of the reporters and film critics, didn't dissipate because of this.
"This... how is this possible?!" Tanaka Kenta muttered to himself, he blankly looked at Nohara Hiroshi, eyes written full of unbelievable horror, "He is only twenty-three years old ah! He... how could he possibly possess such profound artistic foundation and profound understanding of humanity? This... this is simply... a fantasy from Arabian Nights!"
"Director Kurosawa! You... can you explain a bit?!" A reporter handed the microphone to Kurosawa Eiji again, his voice full of confusion and incomprehension.
Kurosawa Eiji took the microphone, he looked at those faces full of questioning below the stage, a helpless bitter smile surfacing on his face, yet carrying a trace of heartfelt pride.
"Yes, everyone, I understand your confusion." Kurosawa Eiji's voice was still steady like an ancient bell: "I Kurosawa Eiji, shot movies for a lifetime, shot samurai for a lifetime. I once thought, I had already exhaustively shot their glory, their tragicness, their helplessness. I once thought, I had already reached the peak of my artistic career."
He paused, his tone carrying a trace of deep self-mockery:
"I even for this, wasted away many years. I once had a script, named 'Samurai in the Blacksmith Shop', I poured in massive effort, shooting more than half. But when I saw the completed film, I yet discoved, it was empty with shape, but lacking soul. It was nothing more than a, ordinary kendo film full of hacking and slashing and kindness and grudges."
"Kendo film?" A slight commotion rang out below the stage.
Kurosawa Eiji, actually personally admitted, his previous works, were all just "kendo films"?!
This is simply, the most thorough subversion towards the Nippon film industry, towards the word "samurai film"!
"Yes, kendo films." Kurosawa Eiji's voice grew heavier, his gaze peacefully sweeping over everyone, rising not the slightest ripple in his eyes: "Those, are nothing more than some, toys of children that remained on the level of 'Skill', failing to touch the essence of 'Dao'."
"Until..."
"Until I saw Nohara Hiroshi."
Kurosawa Eiji's voice carried admiration: "Only then did I understand, I, Kurosawa Eiji, in this life, only shot the 'shape' of a samurai. And he, Nohara Hiroshi, he, is the one who truly understood the 'soul' of a samurai!"
"I once invited him, to come and provide some advice for my 'Samurai in the Blacksmith Shop'. But he told me, my script, had too small a dimension, too shallow an underlying theme. He used a brand new perspective, a perspective that transcended the era, transcended class, reaching directly to humanity, expanding that originally mediocre script of mine, into the current 'Seven Samurai'!"
"He let us know, the so-called 'Bushido', has never been determined by identity, but determined by the 'heart'! He let us know, 'samurai' and 'farmer', are both nothing more than spray in the torrents of the era, and the true victor, is always that continuously advancing 'era'!"
Kurosawa Eiji's voice, became more impassioned, he violently slapped the table, that massive sound making the teacups also tremble from it!
"So, everyone! I Kurosawa Eiji, today, right here, use my reputation of a lifetime, to make a guarantee to all the national of Nippon!"
He pointed at Nohara Hiroshi, on that weather-beaten face, written full of magnanimity and pride!
"He, Nohara Hiroshi, is the only, true, invincible genius I Kurosawa Eiji, have seen in this life!"
"He, is exactly the one, who truly understood the era, understood humanity, and used a movie to perfectly present it, the true, father of samurai films!"
"And I Kurosawa Eiji, in this movie, was nothing more than... someone who helped out, bearing an empty title, a co-director only!"
Boom——!
This declaration, like a sudden thunderclap on level ground, once again resounded explosively with a bang in the venue!
Everyone was dumbfounded!
Kurosawa Eiji, actually personally admitted, he was only Nohara Hiroshi's "helper"?!
He actually, personally handed over his title of "Master of Samurai Films", to that, young man who was only twenty-three years old?!
This... this is no longer simple "supporting a junior"!
This is clearly... true, submission of the soul!
"Oh my god! This... this is simply too shocking!"
"I... I can't believe it! Director Kurosawa, actually would say such words!"
"Nohara Hiroshi... he... what kind of monster is he exactly?!"
The entire Nippon, at this moment, was thoroughly shocked!
Countless film critics, reporters, newspapers, television stations, all used the fastest speed, the most eye-catching headlines, publishing the content of this press conference, onto the front page headlines.
"'Kinema Junpo': Kurosawa Eiji Personally Admits! 'Seven Samurai' is Nohara Hiroshi's Independent Production! The New Era of Samurai Films, Founded by a Twenty-Three-Year-Old Genius!"
"'Asahi Shimbun': Shocking! Director Kurosawa Modestly Calls Himself 'Kendo Film', Vigorously Praises Nohara Hiroshi as 'Father of Samurai Films'! The Name of a Genius, Worthy of the Name?!"
"'Mainichi Shimbun': Twenty-Three-Year-Old Genius, Subverts Nippon Film History! Nohara Hiroshi, is He Exactly a God, or a Sculpted Idol?!"
"'Yomiuri Shimbun': National Speculation! The Talent of Nohara Hiroshi, Was It Deliberately Exaggerated by TV Tokyo? A Public Opinion Storm Regarding 'Genius' and 'God Making', is Brewing!"
Public opinion was like an ignited powder keg, instantly boiling over like a pot!
Some believed, some questioned.
Believers, were shocked by Nohara Hiroshi's talent, moved by Kurosawa Eiji's broad-mindedness.
They believed, only a true genius, could make a giant, willingly "help out" for him.
Questioners, conversely believed this was nothing more than TV Tokyo deliberately creating a "God-making movement" in order to make Nohara Hiroshi famous.
They believed, a twenty-three-year-old young man, even if he had talent, absolutely couldn't possibly possess such profound artistic foundation and profound understanding of humanity.
"This is fundamentally impossible! He's only twenty-three years old ah! How could he possibly shoot out a masterpiece like 'Seven Samurai'?!"
"Definitely TV Tokyo hyping it up! They want to model Nohara Hiroshi into a 'God', to build momentum for their movies!"
"Is Director Kurosawa senile? Actually would say this kind of words?!"
The sounds of questioning, like undercurrents, quietly surged in this fanatical ocean of public opinion.
They believed, this kind of "genius" that surpassed common sense, fundamentally couldn't possibly exist.
This already shocked everyone's cognition, making them unable to believe it!
However, whether it's believing, or questioning, what everyone couldn't deny is, the name Nohara Hiroshi, as well as the movie "Seven Samurai", had thoroughly, become the hottest topic of conversation of the entire Nippon society.
A public opinion storm regarding "Genius" and "God Making", is violently sweeping over with an unstoppable posture!
Exactly after this press conference ended, Asumi's office.
Nohara Hiroshi sat there, expression helpless.
"Senior Kurosawa."
Nohara Hiroshi looked at Kurosawa Eiji, his tone truly carrying extremely complex emotions: "What we discussed before, wasn't saying it like this... now you..." Nohara Hiroshi also sighed as he spoke: "Isn't this equivalent to you giving up all your glory?"
(End of Chapter)