Transform!

In order to express what Director Tomoya Ishida explored and grasped at theaters and other venues, “Japanese subtitles” were projected on the screen and “voice guidance” was played from speakers in the theater in addition to the sound of the film itself.
In the “THEATRE for ALL”, emphasis was placed on enhancing accessibility, allowing viewers to freely select and compare the films.

I’m electric wheelchair user. In this film, I followed the artistic activities of physical disabled people who are different from myself. I wanted to know “how they express their thoughts around artistic activities. “

 Deaf performer, Shizue Sazawa is working to convey the richness of expression that the “Japanese Sign Language” has to offer. Blind actor, Megumi Mizuki is working to create a “place that anyone can enjoy” for her audiences through stage performances and recitations. Their activities mediated by painting, music, film or art. I began to have a certain feeling. I wanted to express what “my body” sees, feels, and thinks of art.

 Choreographer and dancer, Osamu Jareo dances with all kinds of bodies. He said, “Both ballerinas and wheelchair users have “interesting bodies”. I’d like to see you out of your wheelchair.” I participated in his dance project. My experience on stage was full of surprises, and uncertainty. I tumbled down to the stage floor. My legs unexpectedly stretched and widened in response to the lighting, sound, and the eyes of others. My body pleasantly flushed.

 In the day, a roundtable discussion was held later with the entire cast of this film. It started with the words, “A blind person and a deaf person has the opportunity to talk with each other despite their mutual interest.” After the discussion, we went outside where the sky was blue, and a pleasant breeze blew. The impromptu performance, in which we felt each other’s bodies, was a magical time. I forgot my role as the director of this film, a disabled person, and my body was moving lightly.
 One of the keywords is “barrier,” and depicts all kinds of barriers. The “barriers” that I had created for myself due to my disability are broken down when I listen to Sazawa and Mizuki, to join the dance performance by Jareo, and talks with the production staff. This film is about how filmmaking can change the way we look at our “bodies with disabilities”, and how it can lead to the discovery of something “interesting”. I also put into this film that it can be said about “anyone’s body.”