Interview with Mizuho Endo of Little Gorilla Films

http://www.bigstar.tv/studio/mizuho-endo

Q. Where are you from?

A. I’m originally from Japan and now I live in New York City.

Q. When did you start making films, and why?

A. I started experimenting with film during high school in Japan, and by the time I went to college I had become much more serious about it. Serious enough that I moved to the US to attend film school.

Growing up on an island surrounded by pretty much one nationality, I found that watching films from around the world was the best way to understand other people’s lives, loves, and problems. I feel that film is the most inspiring communication tool and modern art form.

Q. What is your favorite film, and why?

A. I have a number of films that I could consider favorites: Under the Sand, Vertical Ray of Sun, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, Sweetie, Betty Blue. I love challenging films that bring out feelings we don’t notice in daily life.

Q. Heart Squared is a film that dictates an entirely unique approach to silent film - what is it about doing unique work that motivates you as a filmmaker?

A. I always like movies that don’t use a lot of dialogue. If a film speaks to you visually and through the actor’s non-verbal performances, that is the best kind of movie for me.

I wanted the challenge of constructing a story with only body movement and music.

It was an amazing experience to work with Choreographer Takahiro Ueno. We spent a lot of time analyzing the story and characters and broke down the scenes to create the movements together.

I think that Takahiro really understood the narrative and did a fantastic job.

Q. How do you feel regarding your films as social education vehicles? Has this been your vision at all?

A. It would be very interesting to try to approach this kind of film as a means social education!

In this world we live in, we have good and bad and there is always some kind of paradox, but we can always find the beauty in the paradox of reality. If we can see the paradox as beautiful

thing rather than being confused by it, we can live happily and grow.

In “ Heart Squared” the main character finds her own individuality in herself through her shadow, but doesn’t realize what it is at first. She doesn’t fit in with or like her peers, but she feels the need to try to fit in with them. When you are teenager, you have these conflicting desires to be different but also wanting to fit in. I think that’s why adolescence is such a dynamic part of our lives and we should celebrate it.

Q. Are there any filmmakers who inspire you or who you look up to?

A. Francis Ozon. I feel that he is always challenging and has his own unique approach to storytelling both in content and in technique.

Q. Are you currently working on, or releasing any other projects?

A. I am working on two more companion stories to go along with Heart Squared.

My goal is to make three short films about finding humor in the paradox of human nature. They will all feature choreography – though the approach and style will vary. Also, I am working on a feature length screenplay that takes place in 1960s Tokyo.

Q. Do you have any future goals in regards to film making?

I would like to keep making films that people can enjoy, but also be actively engaged by the contents rather than just being passive audience members.

More importantly, I would like to keep making.

On behalf of BigStar TV, Thank You very Much!

http://www.littlegorillafilms.com/