Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 297 Starring: Katsu Shintaro

Seven Samurai is one of Akira Kurosawa's masterpieces, which mainly tells the story of six ronin and a farmer disguised as a samurai who are hired to protect a village.

Among them is the young and handsome Toshiro Mifune, who plays the male protagonist, while the samurai leader is played by another actor who has often worked with Kurosawa Akira, Takashi Shimura.

"As expected of Toshiro Mifune, his acting is truly astonishing!"

Tani Ming sighed inwardly, thinking that there was a reason why Toshiro Mifune became the leading actor.

Kurosawa has a very sharp eye for people, and this leading actor is truly amazing.

After watching Seven Samurai, Gu Ming changed to another tape.

Zatoichi.

Or it can be called "Blind Man Zatoichi" or "The Tale of Zatoichi".

This is a film starring Shintaro Katsu, in which he plays the blind Zatoichi.

Later, Takeshi Kitano made a remake, but the effect was not as good as this version.

"Katsu Shintaro... Damn, this Katsu Shintaro is also very powerful."

Gu Ming was sincerely convinced.

When it comes to acting, he still needs to practice, and he is indeed not as good as Katsu Shintaro.

He was not in a hurry. He took an apple, slowly peeled it with a knife and ate it, his eyes fixed on the TV screen, watching Katsu Shintaro's performance.

It was not until the end of the film that Gu Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Katsu Shintaro's strength is indeed extremely strong, so if he doesn't use any tricks, Gu Ming believes that he cannot defeat Katsu Shintaro.

Even if Katsu Shintaro will eventually quit the crew and be replaced by Nakadai Tatsuya, Tani Akira believes that he does not have the ability to compete with Nakadai Tatsuya.

"Then, just be a behind-the-scenes assistant. As for this movie... hehe."

Gu Ming shook his head slightly.

If he can't get it, he won't fight for it, and he can't force himself.

……

……

Not long after, Gu Ming met Katsu Shintaro.

After the audition that day, during lunch, Gu Ming saw a muscular man with extraordinary bearing walking into the scene.

"Oh!! Isn't that Katsu Shintaro!" the assistant exclaimed, "He must be here to meet Mr.

Gu Ming leaned over to take a look, and sure enough, he looked exactly like him in the Blind Man Zatoichi.

During this time together, the two of them became familiar with each other. The assistant whispered, "Kuroya-kun, do you know? Actually, originally, Mr. Katsu Shintaro was going to have the two brothers play Takeda Shingen and his brother Nobumasa, respectively. But Wakayama Tomisaburo refused."

Wakayama Tomisaburo is Katsu Shintaro's older brother.

Gu Ming couldn't help scratching his head.

Why don't these two people have the same surname?
Well, actually it’s because Katsu Shintaro is a stage name. His real name is Okumura Toshio and his brother is Okumura Masaru.

This situation is not uncommon. For example, who would have thought that Paul Chun, David Chiang, and Derek Yee were actually three brothers!
Gu Ming leaned close to the window and saw Katsu Shintaro talking to Kurosawa Akira for a few words. It was obvious that Kurosawa Akira kept nodding his head in approval.

"After all, he personally selected the actors."

Just as this thought flashed through Gu Ming's mind, he suddenly saw a flash of light below.

A reporter behind them pressed the shutter button, and the strong flash made everyone tilt their heads.

Only Kurosawa Akira was not affected because he was wearing sunglasses.

"That guy has new material to write about." The assistant sighed, "After all, it's Mr.'s work, and it has a top-tier actor like Katsu Shintaro."

Gu Ming responded: "Why don't you go down and take a look?"

"Is this okay? This, this isn't appropriate... Why did I just follow you? Why can't I control my legs? Stop it now, you stupid legs!"

The assistant followed Gu Ming downstairs reluctantly. The two did not get close to each other, but stood in the shadow of the nearby floor and looked at that side.

At Kurosawa's request, Katsu Shintaro performed a performance.

Gu Ming crossed his arms and thought to himself that Katsu Shintaro was indeed very powerful.

However, for some reason, Gu Ming heard Kurosawa's voice getting louder, and he seemed a little dissatisfied.

"Really? Of course, then I'll make some minor changes." Katsu Shintaro made some minor changes.

Gu Ming thought it was very good, but Kurosawa was shouting even louder, even waving his arms in anger.

Finally, just point your finger.

"If that's all you're like, then go back and don't act in my movies!"

Katsu Shintaro didn't seem angry, he just bowed slightly.

"Sorry... I'll rethink the role of 'thief'."

"Ouch!" The assistant sighed secretly: "Trouble."

Gu Ming looked at him and asked, "What's the trouble?"

"Mr. Katsu Shintaro is now a top-tier swordplay actor. He's just as famous in China as Mr. Kurosawa. Even to those outside the industry, he's even more famous than Mr. Kurosawa! Mr. Kurosawa, just like before, just curses at me when I don't like him. How can we bear it?"

Gu Ming said nothing, but just silently manipulated his arm.

Did he quit voluntarily because he couldn't stand Kurosawa's temper?

This is something that could happen.

After all, if they were of the same status, who could stand Kurosawa's temper?

It's like letting Jiang Wen and Wang Jiawei make a movie together, with Jiang Wen as the lead and Wang Jiawei as the director. Neither of them will be able to stand each other, and one of them will inevitably leave in the end.

"So then Kurosawa went to find Tatsuya Nakadai? Indeed, Tatsuya Nakadai had worked with Kurosawa for many years and was a good choice."

Gu Ming secretly clenched his hands.

In that case, he wanted to try again.

If Kurosawa had been willing to give him a try, he could have been involved in the film.

But if Kurosawa Akira doesn't agree, then he can only continue to be the assistant.

……

……

The next day came in the blink of an eye.

Katsu Shintaro also came to the set as before.

At this time, Kurosawa Akira had not arrived yet, and Katsu Shintaro was not in a hurry because he had his own place to rest.

"Oh...you're the new assistant, right? What's your name?" Katsu Shintaro saw Gu Ming and quickly recalled Gu Ming's name: "Gu Ming. I've heard of your great name for a long time. I heard that movie he starred in not long ago was really great."

Gu Ming turned around and bowed.

"Yes, I appreciate your care. I just did some of my duties."

"Haha, there's no need to be so modest! Maybe that movie can even win an Academy Award this year!"

Japan has film awards, such as the Japan Academy Awards and the Japan Film Blue Ribbon Awards. Although these awards are highly regarded in Japan, they are certainly not as prestigious as the three major awards and the Oscars internationally.

As for the later Tokyo International Film Festival, it does not exist yet.

It will take a few years before it opens.

Gu Ming had no hope of winning the award.

The Nara Scroll is a typical commercial film, full of jokes and laughter, but without any reflection on human nature.

Such films will not win awards, and even if they do, they will only be small-scale awards, such as Best Action Design, Best Picture Music, etc.

That kind of substantial prize is out of the question.

At that moment, Gu Ming just bowed slightly and thanked Katsu Shintaro.

Katsu Shintaro also smiled.

Given his status as an actor, he would not be afraid of Gu Ming. On the contrary, there might be a possibility of cooperating with Gu Ming's action agency in the future, so his attitude would naturally not be so bad.

Seeing that there was another person behind Katsu Shintaro, holding a small camera, but he didn't look like an assistant, Gu Ming was somewhat surprised: "Katsu-kun, who is this?"

"Oh, I'm just an assistant. I'll be responsible for filming my performance. If Mr. Kurosawa is not satisfied, I will naturally make some revisions!"

(End of this chapter)