Director Takashi Yamazaki and the staff of ``Godzilla-1.0,'' which became the first Japanese film to win Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards, the highest honor in the American film industry, returned from the United States on the 12th and held a press conference. "The Oscar statue weighed far more than I imagined," he said of his joy at receiving the award.
"Godzilla-1.0" is the 30th live-action Godzilla movie, and is about the giant monster Godzilla that suddenly appears in post-war Japan and ruthlessly destroys a town that is in the process of being rebuilt, and the people who stand up to Godzilla. The figure is depicted using powerful images that make full use of ``visual effects'' (VFX).
At the Academy Awards ceremony held on the 11th (Japan time), it became the first Japanese film to win the Visual Effects Award, and on the 12th, director Takashi Yamazaki, who was in charge of VFX, and his staff returned from the scene and held a press conference. I did.
Director Yamazaki expressed his joy at the awards ceremony on the 11th, saying, ``I went into the award ceremony wondering what would happen, but I'm relieved that the result was the best.The Oscar statue weighed far more than I imagined.'' .
Also, regarding the reason for winning the award, he said, ``The Visual Effects Award is a sacred place, and the award is given to the best among works with elaborate budgets, so until now we didn't even have the right to challenge, but in this special case with a small number of people and a small budget. I think it was appreciated because people found it interesting and because the VFX contributed to the story."
Regarding the impact this award will have on the Japanese film industry, he said, ``Since this film achieved decent box office results in Hollywood and won the award, I think Japanese films will change in the future. We will have plenty of money, and I think this will be an opportunity for us to create a work that aims to be a worldwide hit.''
At the end of the press conference, actor Minami Hamabe, who appeared in the movie, also came to congratulate him, handing director Yamazaki a bouquet of flowers and sharing her joy.
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama: ``We will continue to strive to enhance support for cultural and artistic activities.''
At a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama said, ``I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved.The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is committed to film production, fostering creators, and promoting overseas film festivals as ways to strengthen Japan's growth potential.'' "We will continue to enhance these measures and work to enhance support for cultural and artistic activities, which are the source of Japan's soft power."