Mitsunobu Kawamura, producer of the film "The Journalist," on Oct. 15 answers questions at a news conference in Seoul. 

By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae

Photos = Kim Sunjoo

Seoul | Oct. 15, 2019

"I hope that Japanese Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe watches this film. I hope that Korean President Moon Jae-in does, too," said Mitsunobu Kawamura, producer of the Japanese film "The Journalist," on Oct. 15 at a news conference in Seoul, adding that he made the movie "under invisible pressure."

"The Journalist" is about a reporter who fights to expose the truth despite her government's attempt to control the media and public opinion in its favor.

Played by Korean actress Shim Eun-kyung, the protagonist is a metro reporter for The Toto Shimbun. The casting of a Korean in the lead role of a Japanese film grabbed attention and was widely discussed in both countries since the film's production.

Director Michihito Fujii said, "As a movie figure who has watched Korea produce many movies with profound social themes, I wished that Japan would produce similar films."

"Young people in Korea are more interested in politics than their Japanese counterparts. I'm curious what the media, the public and individuals in Korea think after watching this movie."

Shim Eun-kyung, who plays the protagonist Erika Yoshioka in "The Journalist," has received praise from the Japanese public for her Japanese-language ability and acting in the film. (Pop Entertainment)

Kawamura also denied rumors that Shim was cast because Japanese actresses shunned a movie deemed critical of the Japanese government, saying, "Shim is intelligent and has various identities, so we thought she was perfect to play the character who seeks the truth."

Fuji also chimed in to compliment Shim's acting. Despite differences in the filming environments of Korea and Japan, he said, "Shim has shown extraordinary acting and definitely overcome the language barrier."

"Few actors in Japan can come up with their own suggestions for their acting and completely fulfill them." 

"The Journalist" director Michihito Fujii on Oct. 15 shares his thoughts on the release of his film at a news conference in Seoul the day before the movie's release.

On the movie's release in Korea amid high bilateral tension, Kawamura said, "I think government and civilian tensions are two separate things."

"Culture is about the interaction between individuals."

Fujii added, "We put our hearts into the movie."

"I hope that 10 to 20 years from now, Korea and Japan can make movies together."

km137426@korea.kr