Yahoo! Japan recently conducted an interview with Watanabe Ken and Kikuchi Rinko about their movie, "Shanghai".

Check out their interview below!

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Interviewer: What did you most expect when you decided to be a part of this project?

Kikuchi Rinko: When I read the script, I thought it was a rich story that cannot be dealt by ordinary means. The cast was already chosen, and I was attracted to work with people I usually don't have the chance to.

Watanabe Ken: In the beginning, I had a hard time understanding the role of Tanaka... I'm not a type who becomes attached to women. However, its not just Tanaka; the movie it is filled with characters who carry a certain fate that is impossible. Among others, Tanaka wants to run away from the environment and his professional duties. In those circumstances, he finds a way to escape through his view of women and romanticism. When I thought of it that way, it had a very personal story, and I realized that this was a new opening for me. When I dealt with war in the past, I was weighed down by justice, principles, and claim. But this time, I was able to enjoy the acting that was filled with humanity.

Kikuchi: Ken-san said that he wasn't able to understand, but I like Tanaka. In Tanaka, you can feel the Japanese identity. I think it would be nice if there was a man like him. I certainly had feelings for Tanaka somewhere within me. In the finished movie, there was an intimate relationship between Sumiko and Tanaka, more than what it was written in the script. With movies, you don't know until it's complete.

Interviewer: What is your impression on Sumiko?

Kikuchi: It wasn't like I was demeaning her from the beginning, but I held on firmly to the assumptions that she was a woman who crossed over to Shanghai while holding onto her dreams and aspirations. I feel they approached me with those thoughts. I also talked to the director about it. If not, she wouldn't have been able to commit to Tanaka and Connor like that.

Watanabe: It means it's not unified. A man and woman's feelings. Of course, it would be great if they can genuinely love each other. To love two people at once, it's possible considering the circumstances and surroundings.

Kikuchi: I can't say it's not possible.

Watanabe: It's not merely a temptation to cheat. In Shanghai at that time, I feel like there was an atmosphere that made people's hearts deceptive. I can say that applies to Tanaka; he runs towards love as a turning point from the weight of his duties and doubt. Instead of each and every character following the same feelings, I think the movie has a time setting that rolls around from place to place like a pinball.

Interviewer: The character Tanaka is unlike the stereotypical Japanese soldiers that have been portrayed in foreign movies in the past. Did you make this suggestion when you were in the process of deciding to be in the movie?

Watanabe: I had the same landing point from the beginning. However, the process until that point, Tanaka was portrayed as extremely cruel and unwavering. Therefore, I concealed his pain and darkness through positioning so I don't leave the audience confused. I wanted to play the role while leaving tiny needles that the viewers won't notice.

Interviewer: Playing the roles, was there anything you were aware of or anything you were careful about?

Kikuchi: I am timid, so I concentrated while playing the role. Preparations and research is important as well, but if I become big-headed, it is difficult to understand the other actors. To be able to interact flexibly, I left some space as I took my stance.

Watanabe: The other Tanaka is a navy elite. The elites are studying abroad, and thinking about Tanaka's character, the destination is not America or Germany, but England. I suggested the director that the English he speaks should "not be American English, but Queen's English". Luckily, we shot the movie in London, I had an excellent British dialogue teacher, so in a way, I felt I learned English from the beginning. Tanaka's philosophical lines were easier than American English. Before creating emotions, the emotions are drawn forth according to words. Just as I expected, it's Shakespeare's country.

Interviewer: In Tanaka's love philosophy, there's something that goes, "the second love is dangerous". What is second love to the two of you?

Kikuchi: What do you mean second...?

Watanabe: I remember. I remember. Let's generalize.

Kikuchi: No matter how many times, love is always the same as the first one.

Watanabe: That's it. That's why women are strong. But men cannot forget [their past love], and continue to drag it. The meaning of second is completely different.

Kikuchi: I cannot stand when they continue to drag it and fall in love. I feel like saying, "Come back when you're good as new!"

Watanabe: Women can settle past loves, so every single time is their first love. On the contrary, men cannot discard their first, their second, and their feelings double.

Kikuchi: That's probably one of the things are that attractive about men.

Interviewer: What do you think of women who look tough but are fragile, like Sumiko and Anna?

Watanabe: Tanaka and I both have the same opinion of, "in the end, women win". However, it depends on what makes them the winner. Even if one loses their life, and earns love, they might be a winner. Meanwhile, those who simply live in happiness aren't necessarily happy.

Interviewer: Watanabe-san, after starring in "SAYURI", you were impressed at how much Zhang Ziyi eats for having such a thin body. Was there any surprising episodes with any of your co-stars?

Watanabe: I wasn't surprised, but the fact that John Cusack was careful about what he ate, when he isn't a complete vegetarian. However, when I gave him a 'tori soboro onigiri' (rice ball with minced meat inside) that I brought, he was very happy.

Kikuchi: It was delicious!

Interviewer: Is this the handmade onigiri that Leonardo DiCaprio loves to eat?

Watanabe: During "Inception", it was mostly 'shio onigiri' (rice ball with salt). However, during "Shanghai", I was into mixed rice.

Kikuchi: It was your 'my boom' (something that a person is currently obsessed with) right?

Watanabe: Like onigiri with 'hijiki' (a kind of seaweed) inside.

Kikuchi: I was happy to receive onigiris with messages that said, "Thanks for your hard work" and "Cheer up",�from Ken-san. On top of that, he has such good handwriting.

Source: Yahoo! Japan