Vicky Krieps Interview: Filming L’Illusion de Yakushima in Japan
Vicky Krieps stars as a pediatric heart transplant coordinator in Naomi Kawase’s film L’Illusion de Yakushima. According to Krieps, the production involved an immersive experience in Japan, highlighting the cultural taboos surrounding organ donation and the intersection of nature, love, and death.
Krieps, a Luxembourg-born actress, portrays a French woman attempting to navigate Japanese social hierarchies while searching for a lost love. The role required the actress to spend several days with nursing assistants and children awaiting transplants, including infants connected to artificial hearts, according to Krieps.
Why are organ transplants rare in Japan?
Organ donations are uncommon in Japan because the culture does not recognize brain death as the death of the individual, according to Krieps. This cultural stance leads to significant delays in medical care.
Krieps noted that pediatric patients in Japan wait an average of five years for a transplantation. She described these findings as part of a broader “clash of cultures” regarding the perception of death.
How did Naomi Kawase direct the film?
Director Naomi Kawase employed a documentary-style approach that demanded total investment from the cast. Krieps reported that the production lacked traditional comforts; actors handled their own grocery shopping and transportation.
The filming process included a ten-hour walk through the jungle where Kawase instructed Krieps to talk to leaves. Between takes, the director prohibited the use of mobile phones to maintain the cinematic atmosphere, according to the actress.
For intimate scenes, Kawase opted not to use an intimacy coordinator. To build a connection between actors, the director had them spend a day wandering the city together and share a bed, according to Krieps.
What are the challenges for women in cinema?
Krieps expressed concern over the declining number of films directed by women. She highlighted a systemic financial gap, stating that budgets for female directors are often 30% lower than those for men.
The actress also noted that female technicians face a “combat course” to enter the industry. Krieps stated she chooses to work with female directors to support their voices and help improve their working conditions.
What may happen next for Vicky Krieps?
Given her experience with Kawase, Krieps indicated she could potentially work with the director again. While she initially felt she would “never” do so immediately after filming, she now suggests she would seriously consider it because the experience pushed her beyond her comfort zone.
Krieps may continue to prioritize projects led by female directors to address the budget and opportunity disparities she identified in the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plot of L’Illusion de Yakushima?
The film follows a French pediatric heart transplant coordinator in Japan who attempts to challenge local taboos regarding organ donation while searching for a lost love.
How did Vicky Krieps prepare for her role?
Krieps spent several days with nursing assistants and families of children awaiting transplants, including observing infants on artificial hearts.
What was the filming environment like in Japan?
The production was immersive and rigorous; actors were required to manage their own logistics and were forbidden from using phones between takes.
How does the relationship between nature and spirituality influence your view of life and death?