Profile: Uchida Eiji
Born in 1971. Writer-director Uchida grew up in Brazil and made his debut as a screenwriter with the movie “Cutie Girl: Bishojo Boura Kiki-Ippatsu” (2003). He made his debut as a director with the movie “Gacchapon” (2004). Uchida is known for his portrayals of youth in modern times and is without a doubt one of Japan’s most promising young directors.

★Warning: This interview includes information on scenes in the film. Persons who have not yet seen "Topless" may encounter spoilers.

--Which part of the movie do you want people to watch?

In the second half of the story, one woman marries a man even though she does not want to. Before making this film, I had no idea that anything like this was happening in Japan. I think it’s a distinctive element of Japan; to have people experiencing such suffering just because of their sexuality as lesbians. I grew up in Brazil and I think Western cultures are more generous toward homosexuals. Although I was shooting the film with a positive attitude, I want people to look at the painful parts, too.

--I can’t help but wonder about the title…what did you mean by “TOPLESS”? (laughs)

Well. Ms. Watanabe really hates it (laughs). She was worried about it being treated pornographically, so I kind of explained the meaning to her and finally she consented to it. When I was little - living in Brazil, my mother took me to the beach every day and that beach was a topless beach. My mother also went topless there. For me, the title is a metaphor for exposing and being yourself. In Brazil you can be topless if you want. On the other hand, the lesbian world in Japan is the total opposite, so the title was my way of saying, “Be free and put yourself out there”.

--I see! Did you watch any other Japanese lesbian movies or find reference to any lesbian characters in film to draw ideas from?

I wanted to watch “Go Fish” (1994), but I couldn’t buy it in Japanese (because you can’t find it anymore in Japan) and so I couldn’t see it. I hadn’t intended to watch any Japanese movies since I felt like they were filmed for men. However, I did see some men’s films. I mean, not solely for my movie - I had just already seen them before. Like, the movie “Hush!” (2001), which I really enjoyed. Also, I had always liked the American movie “Bound” (1996). I would love to shoot a stylish and hyper-cool women’s movie like that someday. I have always loved films like that. And “Thelma and Louise” (1991). I like these movies with strong women as the main characters. Sometime in the future, I would love to shoot a “TOPLESS: Part 2” with a “Bound” kind of edge to it (laughs).

--I’d love to see it! (laughs). Right now, there’s a stylish lesbian TV drama out of LA called The L Word.

I haven’t checked it out yet. I am interested a great deal though.

--What kind of people you want to watch the movie?

As I said previously, I cannot understand the discomfort some people experience around gays and lesbians, so for that reason I want average folks - anyone you see walking in the streets - to go see it. People who don’t yet know anything, like me in the beginning.

Translated by Kaori Takyu