Chapter 287: The leading dark horse with 5 nominations!

The nomination list for the Mainichi Film Awards is out!

With half a month left until the end of the year, the entertainment section of the Mainichi Shimbun and major sports newspapers finally announced the nomination list for the annual film awards hosted by themselves—the Japan Mainichi Film Awards.

As the first of the three major film awards in Japan to be announced, the Mainichi Film Awards had always received attention from the general public and all parties in the film industry. Even young people in school would discuss the films that made the nomination list with their peers.

And this time, the most surprising thing about the Mainichi Film Awards was a dark horse named "A Scene at the Sea", which took the lead with 5 major award nominations: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Score, and Best Newcomer, far exceeding other films of the same period!

Even "Hachiko Monogatari", which had a box office of over 4 billion, only received two major award nominations: Best Director and Best Screenplay, not to mention films like "The Life of O-Rin" or "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun".

Naoki Nagayama was also very surprised because he remembered that when he submitted his own films, he didn't submit "A Scene at the Sea" because it hadn't been released yet.

Looking through the list, what surprised Naoki Nagayama even more was that a film called "High Teen Boogie" actually received a Best Actress nomination... and it was a film that Masahiko Kondo participated in...

Is this the credit of Johnny's? Or the real strength of the film... remains to be discussed.

However, seeing this nomination list announced, Naoki Nagayama could already imagine the excitement of certain people~

"Nani?! What is going on!"

Toshitaka Yamamura of Toei was naturally one of those who were excited enough to slam the table.

"Why did this film receive so many nominations?!"

Everyone in the conference room lowered their heads like wooden geese, seemingly studying the pattern on the table, which was so beautiful. As the confidant, Toru Nakano could only bite the bullet and speak:

"Department Manager Yamamura, when I saw this list this morning, I contacted several jurors."

Toru Nakano tried to make his voice calm: "It is said that Masaki Kobayashi and Masahiro Shinoda contacted other friends in the industry to lobby for this film."

"Why? This isn't their film? It's not Shochiku's!" Toshitaka Yamamura was even more puzzled. "Does Naoki Nagayama have a personal friendship with these two great directors?"

"Manager~" another subordinate also spoke up. "As far as I know, it's just a nodding acquaintance. However, I also contacted a director I know, and his original words were: 'Such a novel, moving, and artistically beautiful film—not recommending it is simply an insult to film directors themselves!'"

Speaking of this, Toshitaka Yamamura understood. On one hand, it was the recommendation of old-school great directors in the industry, especially one who led the Japanese New Wave movement. On the other hand, this film really hit the hearts of the directors.

"Kuso! These artists!"

No matter how much they bow to the box office, film directors still have an artist's dream in their hearts, otherwise why are directors called film artists?

Toru Nakano saw that Toshitaka Yamamura had slightly calmed down and asked: "Manager, afterwards, should our 'The Life of O-Rin' still strive for the Best Film award?"

"Are you an idiot?" Toshitaka Yamamura was angered by this sentence again. "So many big production companies joined forces and didn't suppress this film before, and now you want to compete with it? Is there any point?"

"? Then..."

Toshitaka Yamamura looked at the list carefully again.

Actually, besides live-action films, two animated films were also shortlisted: Sunrise's "Mobile Suit Gundam III" and Toho's "Doraemon: Nobita and the Haunts of Evil".

But these two films couldn't possibly compete for Best Actor or Actress. If they were selected, would Nobita and Doraemon go to receive the award?

"Use all resources. We must compete for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director! Regardless of anything else, we must suppress Kadokawa's 'Sailor Suit and Machine Gun'!"

"Hai!"

At the same time, the entire Japanese film industry was attracted by this nomination list. Large and small film production companies, distribution companies, and even the largest capital groups in the film industry were startled by this dark horse.

Toho's planning department was holding an emergency meeting, also wanting to figure out who pushed "A Scene at the Sea" up. It was clearly just a low-budget art film. Although art films are easy to win awards, one director award and one screenplay award would have been enough. How did 5 nominations appear all of a sudden?

And this Naoki Nagayama, isn't he from Tree Friend Film?

Clearly, they had already suppressed "Hachiko Monogatari", so how did another film pop up?!

And Haruki Kadokawa was also looking at this list in the conference room. Actually, he knew about it the night before. As soon as it came out, a familiar juror called him.

"Manager Morikawa, 'A Scene at the Sea' wasn't distributed through Kadokawa, right?"

"Hai, because it followed the art film route at the time, Naoki Nagayama chose to release it in the Iwanami theater chain."

Isao Morikawa bowed slightly, his tone showing some nervousness. If it was because of him that Kadokawa lost such a film that could win a major award, that would be a major mistake.

"Art film, huh..." Haruki Kadokawa felt a little regretful. "It would have been good if I had gone to see it when Naoki-san released it."

"Well, there's no way now. However, our 'Sailor Suit and Machine Gun' must win Best Actress. As for Best Film, we can also try to compete for it. After all, the box office of this dark horse... By the way, how much is the box office?"

Funamura Otomo was on the phone with Naoki Nagayama.

"Naoki-san, 600 million!"

"Nani?"

"The first month's box office for 'A Scene at the Sea'!"

Naoki Nagayama, who was eating breakfast, felt no waves in his heart, and even felt a bit bored.

"Only 600 million? What's there to be happy about? It's not even half of the earliest 'Paranormal Activity'~"

Funamura Otomo was stunned by Naoki Nagayama's attitude, and then reacted. His own president had a problem with his perception of film box office:

"Naoki-san, this result is already not bad! Because it was released in the Iwanami theater chain for the first half of the month, it has only been about a week since it was rolled out to theaters nationwide."

"In that case, the final result might reach over 2 billion?"

Naoki Nagayama finally showed a little interest. He was no longer sensitive to numbers below 2 billion. After all, there were over 2 billion yen in his own account~

And Funamura Otomo didn't have such confidence: "For this art film, it might be a bit difficult... However, the final income that Naoki-san can get should be about the same as 'Hachiko Monogatari'."

Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. This film was written and directed by Naoki Nagayama himself, and the distribution didn't go through Kadokawa's channels, so it was equivalent to an independent film. Therefore, the profits could naturally all belong to himself. As for Funamura Otomo, he at most made an appearance in the film and could get a fee.

"Hahaha, thinking about it this way, it's actually not bad~" Assets were about to increase again~

Then they chatted for a while about the film selection. Funamura Otomo reminded Naoki Nagayama:

After the final selection, he must go to thank the two directors, Masaki Kobayashi and Masahiro Shinoda. If it weren't for their strong recommendation, there definitely wouldn't be so many nominations.

He also took the opportunity to ask about Naoki Nagayama's relationship with them.

"There's no relationship. Come to think of it, I've only met them a few times at the previews of a few films." Naoki Nagayama was also curious. "Speaking of which, I don't even have their phone numbers. I'm a bit troubled about how to contact them."

"Naoki-san, are you joking?" Funamura Otomo couldn't believe it, because the two directors wouldn't necessarily support their own sons like this.

"Of course I'm not joking... It's definitely just a nodding acquaintance!"

"Then why would they help so vigorously?"

"Uh..." Naoki Nagayama thought for a long time. "Because of mutual appreciation between geniuses?"

"..." How shameless.

"Hahaha, Otomo-san, could you please help me get their phone numbers? I will contact them."

And while waiting for Funamura Otomo to get the contact information, Naoki Nagayama cleaned up his kitchen, then walked out into the courtyard, raised his hand to shield his eyes, and looked at the sun in the sky.

"It's really a good day~ Except it's a bit cold~"

Due to the mountains blocking the cold current, Tokyo's winter was mostly sunny and cold. The warm sunlight shone on his body, making him feel the warmth, and then it was taken away by a cold wind again.

Naoki Nagayama stayed in the courtyard in a sweater for a while, and soon couldn't help but run indoors, feeling the warm hot air again. The air conditioner was naturally already on. Although it was early in the morning, he couldn't treat himself poorly~

Before long, Funamura Otomo's phone call came.

As an industry insider, especially a film production company that had already achieved some success, finding a director's contact information was a very easy thing. Funamura Otomo got it directly from Manager Morita of Kadokawa.

He also learned that neither of the two directors had any film plans recently and should both be at home.

Naoki Nagayama struggled for a while, but still dialed the phone. He also wanted to know why the two recommended his film.

"Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling..."

"Moshi moshi, this is the Kobayashi residence~" An old woman's voice came from the receiver. It wasn't the person himself.

"Hello, I am Naoki Nagayama from Tree Friend Film. I am calling presumptuously because I want to find Director Masaki Kobayashi." Naoki Nagayama reported his name properly.

"Hai, please wait a moment." The other side of the receiver didn't ask much. After all, being able to get the home phone number meant they were in the film industry. Usually, people looking for Masaki Kobayashi were about film matters.

Soon, a vibrant voice came from the other end of the phone: "Moshi moshi, Naoki-san?"

"Hai, Masaki-san, good morning~ I am calling presumptuously, it is really rude." Naoki Nagayama was still greeting properly.

"Not at all. I am extremely happy to receive Naoki-san's call~" Masaki Kobayashi's tone was very pleasant. "I have always been paying attention to Naoki-san, and I am also looking forward to getting to know each other further."

For a moment, Naoki Nagayama had the urge to throw the phone. What was with this unsettling tone? Was this old guy really not gay?

But he was calling with a purpose, so Naoki Nagayama endured it:

"Hehe, then I am really flattered..." Naoki Nagayama turned to the main topic. "It's like this, Masaki-san. The nomination list for the Mainichi Film Awards is out. I am very grateful for Masaki-san's strong support..."

"Haha, besides gratitude, there is also confusion, right?" As expected of an old man with rich experience, he was very understanding of others' psychology.

"Hai, there is indeed some confusion..." Naoki Nagayama looked outside. "Masaki-san, the weather is great today. Do you have time to come out for a cup of tea?"

"Oh? Tea?... Hmm, come to think of it, the weather is indeed not bad..." Masaki Kobayashi thought for a moment. "But if it's not good tea, I won't drink it!"

"... Of course it's good tea~"

Naoki Nagayama was a bit speechless. This kind of childish temperament~

"Hahaha, that's good~"

"Does Masaki-san know about Sanmaikyo on Ginza Street? The building with a greenish roof and a very classical style."

"Is that the place that looks like a palace? The place where you were photographed on a date with Yuko Tanaka?"

"... That wasn't a date..." Naoki Nagayama wanted to explain.

"Well~ it's understandable for young people to be a bit romantic. Didn't I see you with Yuko Tanaka and Kanako Higuchi at the first preview?"

"... Just ordinary friends." Naoki Nagayama began to regret inviting Masaki Kobayashi for tea.

"Hai~ hai~ Ordinary friends coming out of a hotel~ Hahahaha." Masaki Kobayashi laughed uncontrollably, and then asked, "Do you have to call Masahiro Shinoda later?"

"Yes..."

Old people are wise. Masaki Kobayashi naturally knew that if Naoki Nagayama invited him for tea because of the selection, he would definitely invite both of them.

"Then don't bother calling. I'll bring him over directly~"

"How can I trouble you~" Naoki Nagayama was an honest person. "Then I will trouble Masaki-san."

"Haha, see you in a while~"

Naoki Nagayama, who put down the phone, felt that today's tea trip would be very strange, but he didn't have time to think too much. He immediately called Yasui Katsuo of Sanmaikyo again, asking them to prepare a private room in advance, as he was going to entertain guests.

Just when Naoki Nagayama was troubled by the upcoming first film award selection, Akina Mori here ushered in the first major event of her idol career.

In the office of Warner's Japanese music department, the direction for Akina's next song had been determined: "1/2 no Shinwa". The lyricist was still the author of "Shojo A", Masao Urino, and the composer was Yoshiyuki Osawa.

Even though "Second Love" had successfully reached the top, Akina's publicity team still decided to maintain the style of one sweet song and one rebellious song. Perhaps this changeability would become Akina Mori's greatest feature.

However, after the meeting, Nobuo Tomioka pulled Akina Mori into a corner.

"Akina-chan, are you a bit dissatisfied with the arranged song? You don't really like this kind of rebellious song, right?"

Although she indeed thought so in her heart, when facing the producer who had always been responsible for her publicity work, Akina Mori still thoughtfully said: "Although I am a bit unwilling, this is work after all. I highly recognize the professionalism of the producer."

Nobuo Tomioka looked at this stubborn yet sensible young idol and was silent for a while: "Akina-san, have you ever thought about transferring agencies?"

"Eh?!!!"