A screening of "Gensan Punch" and a talk show by director Brillante Ma MENDOZA and others were held on Saturday, November 25, from 18:00 at NTT CRED Hall No. 1.

Director MENDOZA has realistically depicted the dark side of Philippine society and the ordinary people who live tough lives in it in such films as his masterpiece "MA'ROSA". This is the first time for Director MENDOZA to use sports as the subject of his film, and he depicted with a documentary touch, using a hand-held camera to capture the fights of the protagonist and his fellow boxers, as well as the enthusiasm of the boxing tournaments in the countryside.

"I don't distinguish between documentary and fiction in my mind. I only pursue realistic depictions." the director said. "In the Philippines, there is a reality that boxing is a sport for earning money, and poverty issues are in the background. Many poor children aspire to become world champions like Manny PACQUIAO, the hero of their home country."

Actor KANEKO Takuhei, who played the main character's colleague, a Japanese boxer, is actually from Hiroshima. He shared his connection with the director, saying that he was so moved by Director MENDOZA's films that he went directly to the director's office in Manila to meet with him and has been working in the Philippines since then.

What Mr. KANEKO revealed was Director MENDOZA's unique method of directing. That is, the director does not give the actors a script, but simply explains the situation on the spot then leaves the rest to the actors.

Mr. KANEKO said, "I was quite perplexed because there was so little information. I thought SHOGEN, who played the main role, would have a script, but he didn't." The director added, "He knows who the model is, so he doesn't need a script. As long as he knows what he wants to convey to the audience in the scene, he can do it."

In response to a question from the audience, "I don't want them to memorize the words, but to act them out naturally. I want them to act from their hearts, not from their brains. I believe that this will go beyond mere acting and become the power of the film. The director emphasized his conviction about his directing approach.

MENDOZA's new film, "Chameleon," depicts issues of love and equality through a transgender protagonist, which will also be filmed in Japan, as was the case with " Gensan Punch”.

At the end of the session, HEYA Kyoko, President of this festival, who is Production Designer for "Chameleon," and other people involved in both films were introduced on stage as the MENDOZA family. When President HEYA encouraged the screening of "Chameleon" in Hiroshima, Director MENDOZA promised with a smile, "Surely!"