Celebrated actor Hiroshi Yakusho embraced the spotlight on February 2nd as he received his fourth Best Actor award at the 46th Yokohama Film Festival. The ceremony took place at the Kannai Hall in Yokohama, where about a thousand fans gathered to support and celebrate their favorite stars.
Yakusho was recognized for his stellar performances in 'Perfect Days,' directed by Wim Wenders, and 'Eight Dog Chronicles.' He humorously acknowledged his fellow actor Taiga Nakano's lengthy acceptance speech, stating, "Since Taiga's long speech delayed the ceremony, I'll keep mine brief!" Expressing gratitude, Yakusho added, "It was truly an honor to win awards for these two films, which remind us of the joy of filmmaking." His previous Cannes victory for the same film had spurred the light-hearted remark about how much he loves awards, which he reiterated at this event.
Alongside Yakusho, Nakano also celebrated his triumph, winning the Best Actor award for 'The Eleven Traitors.' Reflecting on his experience, he stated, "I am thrilled to return to the Yokohama Film Festival. After winning the Best Newcomer award back in 2016, I felt recognized as an actor, as if I had been told, 'You can pursue film!'" He expressed his excitement to receive this honor again, showcasing his emotional connection to the event.
Joining the ensemble were other notable figures including actress Hana Sugisaki and actor Sota Ikematsu. Sugisaki thrilled the audience as she accepted the Best Actress award for her performances in multiple films, including 'Ichiko' and '52 Hertz Whales.' Meanwhile, Ikematsu combined humor with heartfelt appreciation, joking, "From now on, we are Yokohama brothers!"
Taking the festival by storm, the Best Film award went to 'Everything at Dawn,' directed by Sho Miyake, marking his second consecutive win after securing the same award for 'Keiko: Listen Carefully' the previous year. The director expressed gratitude for the incredible cast he worked with, emphasizing, "I wished to highlight the beautiful aspects of those living with challenges rather than their difficulties." His films often strive to offer supportive perspectives on society's issues.
Various awards were handed out during the star-studded event, showcasing the thriving Japanese film industry. Each awardee passionately shared their experiences, with Nakano commenting on the creative process, "When practicing fight scenes, my actions were so poor the director was astounded, but I was surrounded by wonderful experiences and support from the action team." Nakano highlighted the significant role actors play, recalling his collaboration with Takayuki Yamada, who he viewed as both mentor and comrade during their joint efforts.
Reflecting the festival’s vibrant spirit, many winners conveyed their heartfelt thanks toward their colleagues and the festival community at large. Nakano concluded his acceptance speech by playfully addressing the audience, acknowledging the effort he put behind their shared pride, and cheerily admitting, "I wrote ‘Yokohama Star’ on my back. I considered it well but couldn’t pull it off too well, sorry!"
The awards were not just accolades but reflection points for individual growth and communal experiences, symbolizing the collective passion present at the festival.
Other significant awards included Best Supporting Actress, which went to Ayaka Miyoshi for 'The Real Thing,' and Best Supporting Actor to Ikematsu for his performances across different projects. An encouraging environment was captured at the event, celebrating both fresh talent and seasoned veterans as individuals committed to their craft.
The festival continues to draw attention, highlighting the importance of cinematic achievements. The joy of this year’s event is felt deeply, encouraging contributions to Japanese cinema and nurturing upcoming talents who will carry on these traditions.
With 2024's event now anticipated, the festival stands as both remembrance and inspiration for what Japanese cinema continues to build on.