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File.15 Studio Malua “Enoshima Cinema”
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)
"Enoshima Cinema"
This is a collection of short films shot by unique filmmakers with the theme of Enoshima Electric Railway stations, also known as Enoden.
What an attractive title and setting!
When it was first shown at the Chigasaki Film Festival in late June, tickets sold out in just a few hours on the first day it went on sale.
It is not uncommon for dramas to be set in towns along the Enoden line, but this is the first time a movie has been made with the Enoden train itself as its theme. It is true that railway companies put safety first. Taking pictures inside a station or on a platform requires extreme caution and is a high hurdle.
Under such circumstances, Enoden's understanding and cooperation was probably obtained because the concept of ``locally-based film production'' advocated by studio Malua, which was in charge of planning and management, matched Enoden's philosophy.
Studio Maulua is hosted by Chihiro Yasuda, a film writer and screenwriter. I fell in love with filmmaking during my university days, and moved to Chigasaki about two years ago in search of an environment where I could continue making films freely.
``I was vaguely aiming for Shonan, so I decided to stay at a guesthouse in Kamakura.During that time, there was a day when it snowed heavily, so I went to Inamuragasaki the next day.I'm sure Mt. Fuji will be beautiful. I thought I could see it, and there were a lot of local people there.As expected, I knew them very well (lol).I felt the richness of being able to live in an environment where I could feel nature in a normal way, and I thought, ``This is where I want to make movies.'' I thought, ``Let's build a base.''
Yasuda settled in Chigasaki and started the local film community studio Malua. The goal is to create a community where people who make movies and videos and people who watch movies and videos come together to create new works.
As a start to our activities, in 2018 we held an event to learn about film and video at the coworking space Chiga Lab.
The production of ``Enoshima Cinema'' can be said to be a step forward from that.
* "Enoshima Station" shooting scene scenery
The directors were seven filmmakers, both professional and amateur, who supported Studio Malua. Based on two common themes, "Enoden" and "connection," each artist created works with a high level of artistry.
For example, film director Iwao Takahashi, who also served as an overall advisor, was Yasuda's mentor during his university days. Miho Yamamoto has a background as a scenario writer, and this will be her first directorial work. Yasuda himself also directed one short film.
The stations in focus are Kugenuma, Shonan Kaigan Park, Enoshima, Inamuragasaki, Gokurakuji, Yuigahama, and Kamakura. Although Shonan is a tourist destination, it is 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's not that simple. The shooting time was 1-2 hours early in the morning to avoid inconveniencing people in the area who use the Enoden. They helped each other where they needed help, and used crowdfunding to secure funds.
All for the movie we want to make!
* "Enoshima Station" shooting scene scenery
"I would be lying if I said that I wasn't worried about whether it would ultimately work as a single film, as the premise was for each person to create freely.However, when I saw the finished product that connected everything, I was moved. I'm proud that while each of them asserted their individuality, the quality of the film was worthy of being released in theaters."
The story is set at an Enoden station, which is an ingrained part of daily life, so I hope local people will see it first. Our hope is that if you look at a familiar city from a different perspective, you might discover a different charm and fall in love with it even more.
*“Kamakura Station” shooting scene
Studio Malua's vision goes beyond producing films with a high level of auteurism.
A guest house will be set up to create an environment where members can stay overnight and concentrate on production.
We would also like to have the function of an artist residence where overseas artists can stay.
In the future, we would like to create a base in the Shonan area that our members can use as an atelier.
Yasuda's dream has only just begun to take shape.
"Enoshima Cinema"
Director: Iwao Takahashi / Takashi Nishinaka / Miho Yamamoto / Takuma Suyama / Ami Inagawa / Naomi Takayama / Chihiro Yasuda
[Future release schedule (2019)] Screenings on the following dates have ended.
■Enoichi
・July 20th (Sat) 10:00~/13:00~
・July 27th (Sat) 10:00~/13:00~
■Chiga Lab
・Sunday, July 21st 10:00~/14:00~
・Sunday, July 28th 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 "Born in 3 years"
Director: Iwao Takahashi
Shonan Kaigan Koen Station “Lost Children on the Seaside”
Director: Takashi Nishinaka
Enoshima Station “New Moon Tomboro”
Director: Miho Yamamoto
Inamuragasaki Station "Inamuragasaki Walking Tour"
Director: Takuma Suyama
Gokurakuji Station “Takaramono”
Director: Ami Inagawa
Yuigahama Station “Sinking Heart”
Director: Naomi Takayama
Kamakura Station “Sleeping in Tokyo”
Director: Chihiro Yasuda
