A world of art to visit, see and feel
File.15 Studio Malua "Enoshima Cinema"
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)
"Enoshima Cinema"
This is a collection of short films shot by a diverse range of filmmakers, with the theme of stations on the Enoshima Electric Railway, also known as Enoden.
What an intriguing title and setting!
When the film premiered at the Chigasaki Film Festival in late June, tickets sold out in just a few hours on the first day on sale.
It is not uncommon for towns along the Enoshima Electric Railway to be the setting for dramas, but this is the first time that a movie has been made about the Enoshima Electric Railway itself. Indeed, railway companies put safety first. Filming inside stations and on platforms requires careful attention and is a high hurdle.
The understanding and cooperation of Enoshima Electric Railway was gained in this situation because the concept of "film production closely tied to the local community" put forward by Studio Malua, which was in charge of planning and management, was in line with Enoshima Electric Railway's philosophy.
Studio Maulua is run by filmmaker and screenwriter Chihiro Yasuda, who fell in love with filmmaking during her university days and moved to Chigasaki two years ago in search of an environment where she could continue to make films freely.
"I was vaguely heading for Shonan, and stayed at a guesthouse in Kamakura. During that time, there was a day of heavy snowfall, so the next day I went to Inamuragasaki. I thought I would be able to see Mt. Fuji beautifully. And there were a lot of local people there. As expected, they know a lot (laughs). I felt the richness of being in such an environment where I could live an ordinary life surrounded by nature, and I thought, 'I want to make this the base for my filmmaking.'"
Yasuda settled in Chigasaki and started a local film community studio called Malua, aiming to create a community where people who make movies and films and people who watch movies and films can come together to create new works.
As a first step in their activities, in 2018 they held an event to learn about film and video at the co-working space ChigaLab.
The production of "Enoshima Cinema" can be seen as a project that takes a step further from that.
* "Enoshima Station" filming location
The directors were seven filmmakers, both professional and amateur, who agreed with Studio Malua. Based on the two common themes of "Enoden" and "connections," each produced a highly artistic work.
For example, the film director Iwao Takahashi, who also served as the overall advisor, was Yasuda's mentor in college. Miho Yamamoto is a screenwriter by trade, and this is her directorial debut. Yasuda himself has also directed one short film.
The stations that were featured are Kugenuma, Shonan Kaigan Park, Enoshima, Inamuragasaki, Gokurakuji, Yuigahama, and Kamakura. Shonan is a tourist destination, but it is also rich in nature and time passes slowly, so no matter where you take a photo, it will be dramatic and picturesque.
*From Inamuragasaki Station "Inamuragasaki Walking Tour"
Of course, in reality, it wasn't that simple. To avoid causing inconvenience to local residents who use the Enoshima Electric Railway, filming took place for one or two hours in the early morning. When there were not enough people, they helped each other out, and they also used crowdfunding to secure funds.
All for the sake of the movie we want to make!
* "Enoshima Station" filming location
"Since the premise was that each person would be free to create their own film, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about whether the film would come together as a single unit in the end. But when I saw the finished product, which was all put together, I was moved. I'm proud that while each individual was able to assert their own individuality, the quality of the film as a whole is worthy of being released in theaters."
Because the film is set in an Enoshima Electric Railway station, which is an integral part of everyday life, I hope that local people will watch it first. I hope that by looking at the familiar town from a different perspective, people will be able to see a different charm and come to love the town even more.
* "Kamakura Station" filming location
Studio Malua's vision goes beyond producing highly auteur films.
A guest house will be set up where members can stay overnight and concentrate on their production.
We would also like to have an artist residence function where overseas artists can stay.
In the future, we would like to create a base in the Shonan area that members can use as a studio.
Yasuda's dream has only just begun to take shape.
"Enoshima Cinema"
Director: Iwao Takahashi/Takushi Nishinaka/Miho Yamamoto/Takuma Suyama/Ami Inagawa/Naomi Takayama/Chihiro Yasuda
[Upcoming release dates (2019)] Screenings on the following dates have now ended.
■ Enoichi
・July 20th (Sat) 10:00~/13:00~
・July 27th (Sat) 10:00~/13:00~
■ Chiga Lab
・July 21st (Sun) 10:00~/14:00~
・July 28th (Sun) 10:00〜/14:00〜
■M's Cantina
・July 25th (Thursday) 19:00-21:00
・July 26th (Friday) 19:00-21:00
*For further schedule and other details, click here
Kugenuma Station "will be born in 3 years"
Director: Iwao Takahashi
Shonan Kaigan Park Station "Lost Children at the Seaside"
Director: Takuji Nishinaka
Enoshima Station "New Moon Tombolo"
Director: Miho Yamamoto
Inamuragasaki Station "Inamuragasaki Walking Tour"
Director: Takuma Suyama
Gokurakuji Station "Treasure"
Director: Ami Inagawa
Yuigahama Station "Sinking Heart"
Director: Naomi Takayama
Kamakura Station "Sleeping in Tokyo"
Director: Yasuda Chihiro
