"I Wanted to Put Umemiya's Essence into Words" - Interview with Shuhei Uesugi for the Film 'WIND BREAKER'

——I heard that you were well-loved by your co-stars on set. I understand you were like everyone's older brother.

Uesugi: Really? That's embarrassing (lol). I hope that was the case. I was the only one in my 30s (among the main cast), and rather than communicating frequently, I maintained an appropriate distance. I'm not usually the type to be all friendly on set anyway, but this time I thought that was okay for the role I was playing.

——Was your consciousness that maintaining an appropriate distance on set would connect to the role?

Uesugi: Yes, I was thinking about that. I believe that how you spend your time on any production will definitely show through, and when you try to move flexibly without an acting plan, your usual behavior—how you interact with people and your way of being—will come through there.

——Related to the topic of distance, Umemiya's way of maintaining distance with the protagonist Sakura was also impressive. What kind of communication did you have on set with Koshi Mizukami, who played Sakura?

Uesugi: Mizukami-kun is truly stoic, and even when the cameras weren't rolling, he seemed to be constantly thinking about various things. This time, his role was also one where he's constantly worrying with his mind going round and round, so because of that, there were many times when he was trying to spend time alone, so I made sure to go talk to him. I was conscious of things like that.

——It was impressive that Mizukami-san said he was pursuing "the realism of not growing easily" regarding Sakura.

Uesugi: I truly think that's right about not being able to fully grow. While worrying, Sakura gradually becomes able to verbalize, even just a little bit, what he was seeking and what he needed toward the latter part, and that really showed in (Mizukami's) facial expressions. However, he fundamentally doesn't understand it yet and has to remain in that liminal space of not knowing.

I thought he would struggle greatly, but rather than teaching him the answer, I focused on watching over him. I had no intention of guiding him, thinking it was something he had to find for himself, so as Umemiya, I was thoroughly committed to watching over him from the beginning.