Author Archives: Mel

TOKYO – “Twilight” star Kristen Stewart and “X-Men” actor Nicholas Hoult appeared in Tokyo ahead of production on indie sci-fi drama “Equals” to talk up the challenges of their latest roles.

Hot indie director Drake Doremus (“Breathe In”) and producers Michael Pruss and Ann Ruark were also on hand to field questions Saturday at a Tokyo hotel.

Based on a script by Nathan Parker, “Equals” is set in a near future in which human emotions, from love to envy and hatred, have been eliminated. The resulting humans, called Equals, are carrying on peacefully, when a disease called SOS (Switch On Syndrome) begins to free dangerous feelings — and the afflicted ones are exiled from society. After the hero, Silas (Hoult), is infected he becomes close to Nia (Stewart), who is also able to feel emotions, while maintaining a safely unemotional exterior.  Thoughts of love and escape follow.

Queried about his own desire to live in an emotionless world, Hoult said: “That obviously would be the easy way out, but no, I like to feel everything, take the highs and the lows.”

“I’m definitely not afraid of ‘feels.’ My life revolves around it actually,” Stewart said. “Finding the balance between the head and the heart is important but I’ve always been very driven by the gut. Every thought or articulated emotion starts in shapes and colors and putting your finger on that is cool, but it’s not necessary.”

Doremus explained that the world he created with Parker has a positive side. “There’s a beauty and poetry to this society,” Doremus said. “Despite what they left out, a lot of things they did right and that’s important to us.”

“The story has been compared to ‘1984,’ but it’s not that at all,” producer Ann Ruark said. “It’s a love story –it’s not dystopian, it’s Utopian.”

Thus the decision to shoot in Japan, whose minimal architecture, Ruark explains, “expresses that Utopian vision.”

“It’s sexy — That’s all you need to know, really,” said Pruss when quizzed about the wardrobe.

“Equals” will shoot from August 4 to 28 in Japan and then move to Singapore for another three weeks.

Indian Paintbrush, Route One Films and Scott Free Productions are producing, with sci-fi maestro Ridley Scott also serving as producer. “Equals” is financed by UTA Independent Film Group, which also has North American rights. Release is set for 2015.

Check out HQs + Video here.

Source: Variety

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Cinema Today:

Kristen talked excitingly about how she feels right now (about starting filiming):
“It took quite a while to prepare for the role. I worked with the director (to understanding the character better) and I’ve enjoyed the whole process. Right now, I get everything (and feel prepared), so I feel really excited about starting filming”

-About her impression on Japan:
“Japan is full of energy, plus everything is all neat & everyone is polite here. These things are different from the other countries around the world. I really like Japan, including those wonderful aspects.”

-About her role:
“I’m going to play a woman who has feeling in a world where you cannot and shouldn’t have any emotion. Even in your normal, everyday life, you could have feelings get in your way, making you stuck in obstacles, and shut yourself in your shell. I might have some of those aspects that I could relate to.”

Eiga:

-About Japan
Kristen “I love its culture and people, but I also love being able to walk around freely and go wherever I want to.”

Movie Walker:

Kristen started her carrier in the film industry playing Jodie Foster’s daughter in “Panic Room (2002)”and Nicolas made his debut in “About A Boy.”

Both (Kristen and Nicolas) having successful start in the film industry playing child role, the interviewer asked whether they have something in common about it.

Kristen clearly (and jokingly) stated “NOOO!”, with a cute gesture, making people laugh.

Nicolas answered “I haven’t talked about childhood ( and having been child actor) with Kristen, but she has a lot of knowledge and insights. And she is genuine and sincere. By coming to Japan and spending 5 whole days with her, I already feel like I became smarter, too.”

Fashion Headline:

-About her character
Kristen:“When you’re living, often times emotions could get in a way or you might have to hide your feelings. In that way, I could relate to the character”

Nicolas about starting the fliming:
“If you are in this industry since your childhood, you don’t have much chance to learn about acting other than ‘practice (by actually playing the role you’re given in the film).’ But for ‘Equals,’ I’m sure there’s gonna be so many things to learn from Kristen and the director, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

HQs Source: KStewartFans | Cinema Today
Fan/Press Sources: Twitter / RintaroWatanabe | Instagram / ellegirl_jp | KStewFans Japan