Once again, a Japanese idol group member has successfully transitioned from the world of music to the silver screen. Matsumura Hokuto, member of the popular group SixTONES, has garnered high praise for his role in the two-handed drama feature “All the Long Nights,” which premiered at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival.
Derived from a novel by Seo Maiko and directed by Miyake Sho, the film tells the story of a woman, portrayed by Kamishiraishi Mone, whose pre-menstrual tension profoundly affects her character and career. She finds solace in the company of a younger man, played by Matsumura Hokuto, who himself battles panic attacks.
Their non-romantic relationship becomes the focus of the narrative as these two kindred spirits support each other in a chaotic and stressful world. The Berlin organizers hailed their performances as nothing short of “fantastic.”
I had the opportunity to catch up with Matsumura Hokuto on the eve of his arrival in Berlin, and he shared some insights into his role and the film. When asked about his character Yamazoe, he described him as a young man whose life was smooth sailing until a panic attack turned his world upside down. Through his encounters with Fujisawa, a woman dealing with extreme pre-menstrual syndrome, they discover that they are not alone in this new world they find themselves in. Matsumura believes that the story is profoundly human, showing how the people we meet shape and change us.
To prepare for his role, Matsumura delved deep into understanding mental health, a topic he does not personally struggle with. He turned to social media, where he found countless individuals documenting their experiences with panic disorders to help others. He also sought insights from paramedics who have firsthand experience assisting people in similar situations.
When asked about his decision to participate in the film, Matsumura revealed that the producers approached his manager directly with a strong desire to cast him. After reading the treatment, he found the role incredibly interesting and ended up buying the novel on which the film is based. He believes the story has the power to reach many people and shed light on an issue that is often silenced.
Matsumura also expressed his admiration for director Miyake Sho, whom he was thrilled to work with. He had been a huge fan of Miyake’s previous film, “And your bird can sing,” and found him both warm and welcoming on a personal level, yet strict and professional. The collaboration was truly enjoyable.
As for his favorite Japanese director, Matsumura fondly recalled the work of director Iwai Shunji, who was the reason he fell in love with movies in the first place. While he appreciates the charm of younger directors like Miyake, Iwai remains his favorite.
When it comes to his career path, Matsumura sees himself pursuing both acting and music simultaneously. He acknowledges the growing attention he has received as an actor, but he is not yet ready to abandon his music career with SixTONES. He finds joy in the balance between both and hopes to continue down both paths for as long as possible.
As our conversation drew to a close, Matsumura excitedly teased upcoming projects that he could not disclose just yet. He assured me that there are some fantastic opportunities on the horizon that he is eagerly looking forward to.
In conclusion, Matsumura Hokuto is thrilled to embark on this new and exciting experience at the Berlin Film Festival. He hopes that through the film, viewers will find a sense of peace amid the chaos of the world.
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