On the Road

あのフランシス・フォード・コッポラが長年温め、やっと完成／公開した映画。それもそのはず、「路上」という５０年代の伝説的な小説（ヒッピーたちのバイブルと呼ばれ、聖書の次にアメリカで売れた本！とまで言われた作品。そんなはずはないんだけどw。）。観てきました。

１０代の時に自分もその原作にはまり、それがアメリカに行くきっかけの一つになったとも言えるもろ青春小説。それ以来、２０代前半くらいまでで１０回位は読んで、映画化すると聞いて複雑な気持ちになりつつも、ずっとどうなるか気にしてたのです。原作が長いのと、作者のケルアックがベンゼドリンをやりながら不眠不休で一気に書き上げたため話しの筋があっちこっちしてしまうため、そしてあまりにも原作／作者のカリスマ性が高いため、映画化しても絶対こけてしまうだろう、と。

で、もっと個人的な事を書くと、それからインスパイアされた自分の新しい世界が始まって、その自分の経験からインスパイアされたのが、未だに映画化できずにいる、長編「オフ・ザ・ルート」だったのです。今考えると、タイトル微妙に被ってるね（笑）。実現するにはあまりにもお金がかかりすぎるのと、ビジネスプランの甘さ、自分の経験／キャリアの浅さのせいで撃沈。今は横に置いて、あせらずそのタイミングが来た時に一気に作ろうと準備している次第です。

話しはいきなり逸れたけど（汗）、キャストは、サム・ライリーとギャレット・フッドランドという、まだ若くて、大作にもそれほど出てないけど今後に期待の演技派２人と、脇を有名なクリステン・スチュワート、ヴィゴ・モーテンセン（オールド・ブル・リー＝バロウズ役）、テレンス・ハワード等が固め、みんな瑞々しい演技。そういや最初に映画化のニュースを読んだ時（７年くらい前）のキャスト：主役２人はエドワードノートンとブラピになるとか、ポップに景気のいい話しでした。でもこっちのキャストの方が色んな意味で正しいなあと勝手に一人で納得したり。

上記のように、それだけ自分にも思い入れがあるだけに映画そのものは、がっかりする覚悟、愛憎まみえる覚悟で観たのだけど、さすがウォルター・サレス監督、きっちりまとめつつも、「路上」のソウルをしっかり描いていたと思う。もちろん不満な原作ファンも山ほどいるだろうけど、それだけのプレッシャーの中、真摯にベストなものを作ってくれたなあと。ジャズ。混沌。狂乱。窓の外に流れる巨大な景色。埼玉の団地の少年が想像で浮かべてたアメリカの魂そのもの。

ある意味とても忠実だったと思います。（なので驚きもなかったのだけど）

最後は、とても切なかった。原作とまったく一緒ではなかったけど、でも「そうなんだよな」とオレは一人でつぶやいてしまった。「It」は永遠に続きはしないものだと気付いてしまう。

ちなみに個人的に嬉しかったの４５０ページ（文庫本）くらいある小説の中で、オレが一番好きだった１行：

ぼくの性に合う人といえば、それは気狂いじみた人間で、生きる為に狂い、話すために狂い、救われようがために狂い、一度に何もかも望む人間であり、決して欠伸をしたり平凡な事をいったりせず、星の群をよぎる蜘蛛のように、炸裂する黄色いローマ花火のように、ただ燃えに燃える人間だけなのだ。−P14 

がキャッチコピーで使われていた事。あとツイッターで映画観たことつぶやいたらアルフレッド役（ヒッチハイカー）の俳優が返信くれて、さらにクリステン・スチュワートがそれをリツイートしてた事も！（笑）２０１３年ぽい！

それよりも気になってしまうのは、この映画がどれだけ売れるんだろう、とまたつまらない事を。今のアメリカの若者にこの世界観がどれだけぴったりくるんだろう、と。さらには日本で配給つくのか？とか。今の日本の１０代／２０代前半にどこまで伝わるんだろうか。未知なる外の世界に出て行くドキドキ感。知らない街で知らない人とつたない言語で心が通じ合う新鮮さ。色んな良くないもので体を汚しながら夜通し踊り狂えるエネルギーと好奇心。

そういえば、自分の映画「オフ・ザ・ルート」の製作に奔走していた時に、時間をとって会ってくれた多忙な一流IT企業の社長に、ストーリーを説明したら「今時ロードムービーなんて売れない。だってGoogle ストリートビュー見ればどこだって行った気になれるんだもん。」と。現実とデジタルは違う、と正直少し憤ったのだけど、今の時代案外そんなもんなのかもしれない。

何かほとんど個人的な話しで映画そのものの感想じゃ無くて失礼！そんな視点で観てしまいました。とにかく映像よし、音楽よし、キャストよしです！

Holiday CD Mix Party

NYでの長年の親友（にもうなってしまった）ショーンとBNS Sessionsの愉快な仲間たちによる毎年恒例のCDミックスパーティー。
みんなそれぞれに思い思いのサントラがつまったCDを作成し、交換してそれをガンガン流すというシンプルな主旨のもと、とりあえずわいわいやりましょうと。それだけのはずが。

ミュージシャンが多い事もあり、みんなそれぞれの音楽性ベクトルにかなりマニアックだったり、「あ〜こいつ、今年はこんな感じなんだなあ」とか、しょっちゅう顔を付き合わせてるわけでもないんだけど深い所がわかっているから楽しめる、安心する、そんな仲間たち。

全然撮れてない。まあ雰囲気、ふんいき。

去年はショーン＆キカのアパートで本当に仲間うち十何人かでほっこりしていたんだけど、今年は趣向を変えてレコーディングエンジニアのダニエルのアパートで。５０人越える位集まってしまった・・・。さすがやねえ。９時からはじまり（ったらしい）終了したのは朝の４時（過ぎてるはず）。

DJのレイが撮った一枚

その合間に新築したダニエルとマークのレコーディングスタジオも見せてもらい、結構どぎもを抜かれました。スナップも撮ったけど、キレイに撮れてるオフィシャルページの方で見てくださいな、こちら！

今も集まった１３枚のCDの１枚を聞きながら書いてます。
２０１３年は昨年とは違う意味でのいい１年になる事、確信！つうか、もうそうする！

みなさんにとっても素敵な一年になりますように！

By Kenji H.

1. Baby You by Electronicat

2. All Your Love by Hudson Mohawke

3. Take Off Your Shirt by Bibio

4. Daylight by Thundercat

5. MindKilla by Gang Gang Dance

6. Bizness by Tune-Yards

7. See Thru to U (feat. Erykah Badu)  by Flying Lotus

8. Ritual Union by Little Dragon

9. Fireworks by Animal Collective

10.Come on Let's Go by Broadcast

11.Train To Barcelona by Akufen

12.Sprinter  by Ducktails

13.Early Moss by Chris Clark

14.Alligator by Grizzly Bear

15.Flim by Aphex Twin

16.Joy by Rei Harakami

I ♥ JP

ご無沙汰です。１２月の２週間ちょい、日本に帰っていました。

今回は去年と違い、面倒ごとのない、幼馴染の結婚式＆ついでにバケーション。
胸を張っての一時帰国、幸せこの上なし。

Came back from Tokyo, after staying with my family and friends for a couple of weeks.

This time had nothing to do with visa renewal or any of hassles, it was mainly for my childhood friend's wedding.

２０１２年は仕事がずっと続き（非常にありがたい事ですが）夏休みや休暇が一度もとれなかったため、このタイミングを逃したらいつ休めるかもわからないし。南米にでも行きたいなあとかぼんやり考えていた矢先（「夏休み」だけに！）、数少ない幼馴染（クサレ縁？）と言える友人が晴れて結婚するという事で、もう行くしかないべよと（急に地元弁）。

 I hadn't had any vacation in 2012 (well, I'd be thankful as a freelancer), so it was just so necessary to change the scenery. My first option for the vacation was South America (as it'd be "summer vacation"), but who could reject the best friend's invite for wedding? I could go anywhere anytime, but not someone's wedding.

And he's one of few friends from teenage I'm still in touch with.

そのついでに色んなところに行き、人生の様々な地点で楽しい時を過ごした旧友たち、お世話になった人々に会い、色んなものを食べ、家族とも過ごし・・・。今回はあまり詰め込み過ぎにならないよう、ごく少数の限られた人にしか帰国を伝えませんでした。やはり人間たまにリフレッシュと休息が必要。NYに長くいると毒素がたまるしね。

忙しい中、休暇を許してくれたプロジェクトの仲間にも感謝、感謝です。

Also met with many people who I had befriended and worked with at various point of my life, ate lots and lots, spent time with my family...(my cute nieces included)

日本到着翌日、そして結婚式前日、大学時代の友人Jがイベントのオーガナイズに関わっているという事で行ってきた日本橋XEXでのファンクイベントに参加。

大学時代の友人たちと近況話しに花を咲かせつつもライブを観て、深夜２時過ぎに出ると駅が完全に閉まっておりコインロッカーに突っ込んできた式用のスーツが出せないというハプニング。翌日早起きしてスーツを取りにまた銀座に行き、三越のトイレで着替えるというはこび。せっかく立派な大人になった気分が台無し（笑）・・・。情けなし。

The night before the wedding, the day after my arrival to Tokyo, I went to the club for the live funk event which my friend organized. 

I'd stored my slick suits in the temporary storage (it's called "coin locker" which you can find in any stations).

Every time I go back to Japan I'm reminded how convenient getting around in Japan is, but what I forgot was the train/station closes down completely late at night.

Stranded in my own country and couldn't get the suits out of the locker room.  I stayed at my friend's and early next morning, went back to the station to pick them up, and changed myself in the bathroom of a department store. How pathetic.

今回の一時帰国、メインイベントの結婚式は幕張のホテルで。日本で、友人の結婚式というのは初めてだったので作法に少し戸惑ったけど、NYからわざわざ来たのでオールOK!（って事にしてくれ！）

奥さんもとても性格のよさそうな方で、なんかしみじみとしました。本当に心からお幸せにと。式に同じ小学校（そして同じ団地！）から招待されたのはオレともう一人の親友Tだけで（こいつはスピーチも担当）、それに感謝しつつ一生の付き合いがある友達って素晴らしいなあと思ったよ。社会人になると仕事仲間こそ増えれど、腹を割ってしょーもない事しゃべったりするのはどうしても難しくなるから。

Wedding was in Makuhari, a beautiful coastal city far from Tokyo. There's several tradition I'd had to follow- and I crammed it the day before. Am I too Americanized?

Hope I got by, I better be, I flew all the way from NY spending 14 hours (and some bucks). Anyway, it's a wonderful thing to have a friend like this, worth that trip. 

そんな幸せなカップルを祝いつつ、気ままな束の間の休暇を楽しむ自分は、ほどほど（？）に夜遊びも・・・笑。

開店の知らせを聞いて以来、一度行ってみたかった、ロボットレストラン！

「総工費１００億円」の真偽のほどとコンビニ弁当のような食事は置いといて、入った瞬間にプチ度肝を抜かれる内装、かなりスケールの大きなロボットが練り歩く異様な空間は、やはり特筆に値すべく・・・。可愛くもワイルドなガールズたちのパフォーマンスも上々でした。一度は行くべし。

After that's done, days are for my own fun time- visited "Robot Restaurant" I really wanted to go since it's opened at the beginning of this year. 

The food wasn't served by robots as I expected, but Japanese taiko performance and the barlesque-like dance was fair enough. Robots were strangely but awesomely real deal. Here are some photos:

そして大学時代の友人Hに誘われ、最後の最後に幕張メッセで行われたWOMB ADVENTUREにも行ってきた！

この短い滞在でまさか幕張に二回も行く事になるとは・・・。

夜１１時ごろ到着、トリのリッチー・ホウティンが終わる朝６時過ぎまでみんなでしこたま踊りまくりました。

まだまだ若いぜ！（と自分で言ってしまうところに少し年を感じつつ、w）日本のイベントは比較的健全できれいだなーと感じました。それと、音響／照明の技術がすばらしい！やはり職人さんの優れた国だなあと。

それにしても、色々こういうイベントとか、クラブの規制ってどんどん厳しくなってるらしいっすね。

人生を楽しもうとする事には何の罪も無いのに。音楽を、そして夜通し踊る事を厳しい日々の生活や重労働の中でよりどころにしてきた人はどうすりゃいいんでしょうかね。ミニスカートの１０代前半の少女アイドル達を汗だくで応援する方が健全なのかね？

それにしてもLoco Diceが良かった。

The day after the Robot Restaurant was spent in Makuhari (again!), the event called Womb Adventure, annual rave party hosted by Womb, in a huge stadium.

Arrived around 11PM, when there's hardly any train back to Tokyo until next morning, soon found myself surrounded by fast yet steady beats that my pulse almost immediately accustomed to, and the shower of lights that struck my head and soon absorbed in my body.

We saw and felt of boasting numbers of the greatest DJs (now I'm looking at their website to remind myself...): Dubfire, Nina Kraviz, Loco Dice, Daddy G (of Massive Attack), Shinichi Osawa, Darren Emerson (of ex.Underworld), and Richie Hawtin.

光に包まれてまったく見えないがNina Kraviz嬢

Daddy Gだったか大沢伸一だったか・・・写真からの判別不明

王様Richie Hawtin！

あと日本帰国のたびに欠かせない重要なポイント、食、食、食。特に冬の日本の食はハンパなくうまいっす。

忘年会シーズンも重なって鍋を３晩連続で食べるという贅沢な日々・・・。
And of course, food being the essential part of my visit. Japanese food is especially good in winter times.

鍋用

Japanese hot pot

安くてもうまいのが素晴らしい。

Tempura Soba

幼少時からのフェイバリット。気持ち悪いとか言うな。

Squid and his gut. Hope not grossing you out.

素晴らしいぜ、ニッポン！！

I Will Miss You, Japan!!

その他の一コマ

Other Snaps

浅草アサヒアートスクエアでCleoプロデュース舞台の観劇／感激

Watched a play produced by people I know in Asakusa

リニューアル東京駅

Newly renovated Tokyo Station

代々木で偶然通りかかったお祭り

Ran into some food festival in Yoyogi

国立新美術館

The National Art Center

フジテレビ

Fuji TV

Eye Candy

Rarely do I get any time off when being sent to location on TV jobs, I managed to schedule myself to get fair amount of free time in Chicago - and been here probably 6 or 7 times, I knew how I wanted to spend it. Just to do the best for the job, and to enjoy the best for the rest.

Decided to take train (blue line) from O'hare to downtown Travelodge, where I stayed, near Art Institute of Chicago. I could take a cab and it'd be paid for, but somewhat I decided to take train, just to feel the local vibe-

Got off at LaSalle station, and Yelped the best pizza around in this area- this was the first attempt in Chicago (as I bought my first iPhone only a year ago). Technology...makes you lazy!

At Giordano's. Meatball in deep dish. 

Doggy-bagged it for the next day breakfast.

Then head to one of my favorite museums in the world, Art Institute of Chicago. It was almost 4PM already, and got discount (half-price off). Knowing what I wanna see, an hour was enough. Scanning through the 18th century to Impressionism to Modern Arts to Contemporary Arts, just strange flashback of 12 years ago (when I was still a teenage)...

Architecture section. This was new to me.

I was on a backpack trip across the States, taking Amtrak. Chicago was my second destination after New Orleans, and my first stop was here. I was interested in art, but not knowing quite enough, I was mesmerized for whole time, feeling high. I made a buddy at youth hostel, a half Japanese half Swiss student / artist,  hit off immediately and went there together. A very cold winter day.

This was new too I think... 

Seurat, Monet, Van Gogh, Dali, Pollock, and among all the greats, what struck me was this bunch of colorful candies sitting at the corner of the room. I wasn't sure it was Art then, and I stood and thought for a while. What's the meaning behind this, I thought, but didn't care about the explanation then. 

It just existed pure art for me, and it was just fine - but left me wonder what it was.

It wasn't just eye candy

And finally, this time after 12 years, I found this object again... discovered what this means:

"Felix Gonzalez-Torres produced work of uncompromising beauty and simplicity, transforming the everyday into profound meditations on love and loss. “Untitled” (Portrait of Ross in L.A.) is an allegorical representation of the artist’s partner, Ross Laycock, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991. The installation is comprised of 175 pounds of candy, corresponding to Ross’s ideal body weight. Viewers are encouraged to take a piece of candy, and the diminishing amount parallels Ross’s weight loss and suffering prior to his death. Gonzalez-Torres stipulated that the pile should be continuously replenished, thus metaphorically granting perpetual life."

This really sadden me, as well as made me happy to find out. Took a piece with out hesitation, but with the respect. It's so sweet outside, but true emotion, raw meaning inside of it. I couldn't help associating this with many things in the world, including myself.

Stepped out in deep thought, reflecting that time and now comparing how I've changed over a dozen of years; now I am here for work - and people rarely tell me what to do. Through series of struggles (will take days to list),  I've finally earned what I didn't have and wanted- working in the industry I wanted to make a living, and confident that I will keep going - but lost somewhat the pure passion and amusement. Mixed sense of achievement and lostness.

My favorite park right outside of the museum

Ducks chilling

Maybe for that reason, I decided to have my dinner at Panda Express, reminding me of good old college time in Long Beach California.

Then I opened the fortune cookie...or rather say, the fortune cookie opened me. Panda knows well what to tell me at the right time.

The job itself was a live broadcast, taking place at 7AM next day. So I quietly ended my day going to the bar my friend suggested. 

And on my way back to the hotel, of course I ran into the hostel I stayed in those days, where I met my best friend (who ended up living in Chicago for a few years, moved to Flagstaff to learn the environmental science from Native American, then went back to Japan - and went back to Japan)

Hope he sees this blog, it's still here!

And live broadcast was success. I flied back immediately to NYC, from the location to the airport. I don't get hassled by the security any more.

Live Video

The video we shot (along with a talented DP Yosuke Hosoi) are up on the youtube!

A great jazz quartet "Identified Strangers", lead by another talented fellow Japanese Hiro Momoi.
Their gig was so solid and this tune "Impending Launch" was particularly groovy and my favorite... It took place in Brooklyn's new hidden gem, Shapeshifter Lab. Check it out!

Summer of 2012

It seems like the summer officially ended. Bonnaroo being the biggest of all- I finally managed the time to compile the summary of summer (more or less for my personal account)

When did the summer even start actually? My FB timeline just reminded me. As much as I wanted to be like these kids, my only regret was that I couldn't get in the water for summer. 

Seeing Jimmy Cliff jumping around on the stage again, was good moment. He's been my hero since I saw him at Central Park Summer Stage a couple of years ago (he stopped the rain then - just as he started playing "I can see clearly now") . Several hours later, we took off to Bonnaroo.

Coming back from Tennessee, the job lined up was an underwater commercial film job. Since the studio was so remote from NYC, we stayed in the beautiful house called Starbuck Inn, in Connecticut. Very successful shoot and can’t wait to share it soon!

Tropfest @ Bryant Park: claiming the “world’s biggest film festival”, presented by Hugh Jackman. What a luxury to be laying on the lawn in the middle of the city, watching short films… I might make a film for this next year... anyone wanna join?

July 4th... last one was spent in Adirondack mountain with my buddy Ryan. This year was done in more proper way; on the rooftop of my friend's vintage clothing store "Interwoven",  in Dumbo BK. 

Free concert is always awesome - nothing to complain. OK Go, that brought me back to my college time... sounds like they moved to Brooklyn? I hope to run into them.

I run into Janka Nabay though, whom I saw a couple of weeks earlier at Bonnaroo. He was hanging out at Zebulon shortly before their gig @ Glasslands Gallery. Very energetic and magnetic guy - exchanged a couple of beers and cigs- then he invited me to come to the show and I certainly did!

Right before this accidental meeting with Janka, was a dinner with my old college mate Bing from Hollywood. Took him to Diner in Williamsburg, order a neatly presented quail to show how hipster I am, haha. Old time talk of when I used to make 5 bucks/hour and eat hotdog everyday. Time flies. Quail was okay. Not next time.

I guess this is much more summerly. Beer, prociutto at rooftop of Eaterly. It wasn't overpriced and too bad I couldn't come back again for the summer. 

More food pics. Figs and Prosciutto Pizza @ Figs in Boston.

One needs good food when you have to get good interviews with some of Harvard's top neuroscientists. 

Moved to Washington DC to get more good food- I mean, good interviews. This is the thickest steak I've ever eaten- and weirdest hamburger I've seen.

On another documentary job. Back to my U.S. roots, New Orleans. Cafe du Monde, which I went 3 times during 3 days of stay. Now I feel such a grown up, being here for work. Too bad I couldn't get the time to hang out with my old friends- next time when I come for fun!

 

This was such a blessed documentary; so much heartfelt moment, being backed by good-hearted people. Then as we were filming B-Roll- thunderstorm hit us as we're moving and cleared when we get out of the car. Sunshine thru the cloud and a rainbow. Too good.

OK, last work-related-food, wasabi! A big commercial shoot is so confidential that I was only allowed to take photo of gigantic wasabi from catering... just kidding. I thought it was just funn. 

Oh, one more to note... I had a big birthday party at the basement of Sing Sing, hosted by Old Soulz Ent...Live DJs, Screening of films, Live Art Painting, Games, etc...and holy crap this is the only visible photo in my iPhone. (rooms were so dark) Well, fun memory stays... 

Then the BBQ... with bunch of filmmakers. The end of the summer, I suppose. 

Bonnaroo 2012: Part 2

Like many others, my second day at Bonnaroo started with a bit of hang over... and the day started off by watching Brooklyn-based band Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, which was highly recommended by my buddy Daniel who worked their recording at Strange Weather studio. The mixture of funk and African tribal style, spirited by Brooklyn indie music.

More precisely, the day started off by finding a tiny tent...for dog I suppose?

Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang

It was still earlier in the day, and lots of people were still laying on the grass, chilling. 

Then the wake up call for many, was the punk rock legend (since 1970's), BAD BRAINS. They were one of "must-see" for me, and their performance indeed was! It's really inspiring to see so much energy in 50-something years old guys... keeping their passion agelessly. 

Bad Brains. Very cool show, 

balanced between hard-punk and mellow reggae.

Look at this guy in the center of moshpit- I think he'd be 50-60 yrs old - still rockin'

WTF. Reminded me of an absurd Japanese comedy I grew up with

FLOGGING MOLLY! This was another of memorable show. 

Battles. 4th times I see them and 1st time seeing without Tyondai. 

Of course it wasn't the same.

Silent Disco. What a great idea! 

Probably one of the best acts I got to experience myself during Bonnaroo was of Mogwai. 

Heavy sound and beats was spearing right at me and going through my body and brain.

Interestingly enough, some people near the stage walked away during performance, just because the sound was so heavy and loud. So I could experience this flood of the God-like sound up so close. 

Mogwai 

Mogwai

Then we moved on to see The Roots. I'm not a big hip-hop fan, but they're in different world for me.

High spirits and music- and so happy to hear their cover version of "The Bottle" (by Gil Scott Heron/Brian Jackson). This song has the truth.

So far from stage, but still got the vibes

Then this day's headliner, Red Hot Chili Peppers. The band I'd listened to since I was teenager (that was like... 15 years ago??). The first time I see their live performance, and it was a must see. 

Most of my favorite bands from 80's and 90's have gone separated or been done with different reasons... Beastie Boys included (I heart MCA)

RHCP had gone through lots of different phases as well. I lost track of them after Fruciante left the band... and he was indeed the greatest guitarist. However, the new (and young) guitarist Josh was amazing as well. Big up for him!

Besides all the great songs (old ones like "Give it away", "Suck my kiss", and ones from my favorite album Californication), what caught my attention was their unity. Anthony, Flea, and Chad played so hard and solid throughout, and somehow I felt they were inciting the new "young one" Josh at some point, Josh responded with his own skill. I got the goosebumps. Flea's MC was quite heartfelt as well.

RHCP

The last day of Bonnaroo - which was much slower and more mellow - with following acts.

We left after the first act of Phish... as we had to go back to NYC (I had a underwater commercial shoot from very day). All parties must come to an end. But hey, life goes on and always the new party starts.

Enjoying the life at its best is not a bad thing. 

And cloudy.  High-touch with random strangers while waiting in line to enter

Black Lips - met them in Bowery Ballroom a few years ago. 

Too bad they played so early in the day... 

Beach Boys. Legend- why not?

Ben Folds is back too!

Bon Iver. Probably the best act of the day.

Phish. With bunch of hippie audiences. They jammed for 4 hours total!