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Edmund Lee

48 HOURS: You're probably best recognised internationally for your early films such as  Battle Royale (2000),  Ju-on: The Grudge (2002) and the  Kill Bill movies (2003 and 2004). How do you feel looking back on those roles?
CHIAKI KURIYAMA: It was actually because of those first films that the director [Quentin Tarantino] picked me for Kill Bill. That period was a milestone in my life.
It does look like you'll be forever identified as 'that girl from Kill Bill''. Do you ever get tired of that label?
I don't feel bad about that, but it's been almost 12 years since that film. So if I can play a greater diversity of characters, I'll be even happier.
You made quite a few horror films when you were a teenager. Do you think you were scary looking back then?
You're right. I started in this business at the age of 14 and I was often cast in more eccentric roles. It did make me wonder if people found me a little bit scary when they looked at me.
I must admit I did find an air of eeriness about you in those early years.
[ Laughs] I'm actually a really sunny person. Although my characters tend to be quite cool, I have played some interesting comical roles too.
When people look back at the J-Horror movement they remember films such as  Shikoku (1999) and  Ju-on, both of which you starred in. Do you agree that the genre's popularity has faded since?
It's true that there was a boom in Japanese horror films around the year 2000. I wouldn't say that people have fallen out of love with horror since then, but at the same time, there has been a decrease in the number of horror films being produced in Japan.
Which are your favourite roles?
Hmm… It's so hard to pick. But if we're talking about the greatest impact achieved through character design, I'd cite the film you just mentioned, Shikoku, as well as my supernatural character in  The Great Yokai War (2005) as examples. They were very interesting roles to play.
You seem to have an affinity for more offbeat characters. Is that the case?
I do like playing offbeat characters. It's a good challenge to one's acting skills to play spirits or other non-human roles. What can I do to scare you? What more can I do to make myself especially frightening? Those are things I have to think about to improve myself as an actress. That's why I like those characters quite a lot.
What are your secrets when it comes to scaring audiences?
There are several. For instance, it'd be scary if an unsmiling character suddenly breaks into laughter. Viewers have certain impressions of each of my roles, and when I leave their comfort zone I tend to take them by surprise. It's about deviation from their expectation.
Are there characters that you'd really like to play, but haven't had the chance yet?
I'm a great manga fan. Since there are quite a lot of live-action adaptations in Japan, I do often look at characters that I could play one day. There have been occasions when I really wanted to play certain roles, but I was too old to play them. It's a pity.
For viewers outside Japan, which of your previous films would you recommend?
I'd like to say all of them, but since I have made so many films, I'd recommend they check out Shikoku. A foreign audience may find that film's Japanese ambience quite interesting.
If you had the power to alter anything in your career, what would you change?
I'm actually very happy with what I've accomplished. So if I had a magic power I'd probably not use it on my career. Instead, I'd prefer to apply it to something in my daily life.
So what would it be?
I'd like to be invisible ... to see if people are gossiping behind my back.
 


The Inquisition: Chiaki Kuriyama, actress

Magazines

48 Hours

The Japanese actress offers tips on how to be scary and looks back with pride on her career


The Japanese actress offers tips on how to be scary and looks back with pride on her career.


The Inquisition: Chiaki Kuriyama, actress

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Japanese actress offers tips on how to be scary and looks back with pride on her career

The Japanese actress offers tips on how to be scary and looks back with pride on her career