Actor and singer Sugi Ryotaro (72) held the “10th Asia International Children’s Film Festival” as the honorary chairman on the 26th at Kitami Citizens’ Hall in Hokkaido. Produced by Sugi, it started in 2007 with the aim of giving dreams and hope to the children in Asia through video production. This time, Nishijima Takahiro (30), the vocalist of the 7-member co-ed group, AAA, participated for the first time. Nishijima, who was born in Sapporo, was deeply moved by the power of children and said, “I was surprised by the degree of accomplishment of this work. I would like to lend a hand again”.
Making his “triumphal return home” to the northern land during the lowest temperature 8 degrees below freezing point, Nishijima received power from the creators who are carrying Asia’s future.
In the “10th Asia International Children’s Film Festival”, 612 works, the largest number ever from 16 countries and regions including Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia, and Japan, were received. With the application theme “The thing I hate”, 3-minute videos by elementary, middle school, and high school students were gathered.
With 1550 people in the venue, 240 of whom are children from the country and abroad, Nishijima held a talk show together with Sandaime J Soul Brothers’ Leader, Kobayashi Naoki (32), and vocalist Imaichi Ryuji (30), and singer and actress Nishiuchi Mariya (22). Following the theme this time, he confessed with a playful smile that he dislikes “cucumber”.
Nishijima, who received loud cheers in friendly atmosphere from the children, heartily told Sankei Sports' interviewer, “I think the last time I came in Kitami was when I was still a teenager…”, “Hokkaido is comfortable with the clear air as ever", he was being healed by his hometown.
In 2011, Nishijima appeared in the “2nd Japan-Vietnam Music Festival” in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, which was produced by Sugi. This time, after being called by Sugi, he decided to participate as Japan-Vietnam special Ambassador, committed to work hard for the cultural exchange with other Asian countries.
Regarding the work he participated in this time, “I was surprised by the high degree of completion. The children were able to visualize such theme with strong negative factor and turned it to a positive direction. Their imagination is amazing”, he acclaimed. When asked about participating again next year, he showed his willingness, saying, “If I could help a hand, then I’d like to follow Sugi-san”.
“I’m happy for your participation in this film festival that continued on a steady path”, Sugi thanked after hearing those words.
Looking back at the same film festival which celebrated a milestone for reaching its 10th time, “before the 1st event, it was hard to prepare, such as opening a workshop to teach operations of photographic equipment in Vietnam and such.” Nishijima who will appear in NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen with his group for their 7th consecutive year said, “I hope that young artists will travel abroad to gain skills. This will lead to cultural exchange.”
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