Profile: Mina Shimizu
Born in 1982 in Kanagawa province, Shimizu received the Yamaji Fumiko Movie Award for New Actress for her role in the movie “Warabinokou”(2003). She played the leading roles in movies such as “Inu No Eiga”(2005), “Ikutsumono, Hitori No Asa”(2006), “Breath Less” (2006), and other movies. She has gained recognition as a highly talented, up-and-coming actress.

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

--What was your first impression of the script when you read it?

First of all, I thought it was very interesting. Much like the director, before reading the script I had no idea of how lesbians were generally seen in the public eye, or what difficulties and pains they face. Therefore, there was no way for me to know how much of the script was true and how much was imagined. Also, the events taking place in the film are not things limited to the experiences of lesbians - they apply to all people. In that way, the film doesn’t put lesbians out there as being so different. The real appeal to this movie is that everybody can watch it and relate to it.

--In Hollywood they say that some actresses are still reluctant to accept lesbian roles. How did you feel?

I didn’t have a problem with it at all. I didn’t get the sense that her sexuality was made to be a prominent issue in the film. The film is about all these incidents going on at once in a woman’s life - and she happens to be a lesbian. That’s all.

--How did you prepare for the role?

About two years ago Ms. Watanabe took me to one popular lesbian bar in Shinjuku Nichome. I spoke with many lesbians and gained a lot of information. In addition, Mr. Uchida, Ms. Waｔaｎabe, and I would talk every time we saw each other. I got as much advice as I could from Ms. Watanabe.

--What was your impression of the lesbian bar when you actually went?

It was quite normal. Usually I think I can tell gay men from straight men based on appearance, but lesbians are not so evident. Most of the lesbians were like girls I see anywhere else. Nothing so special. Some were career women wearing nice suits and some were foreign and everyone was just hanging around. It wasn’t anything special - but only women were there, that’s it (laughs). I got the impression that no one would ever guess that these women were lesbians if you saw them around in the city.

--What scene was difficult for you to act in?

First, making out with girls was difficult. I wasn’t exactly sure how to turn a girl on (laughs). But I made up for what I did not know with imagination. In addition, the sex scene with Koji was also difficult. It was a challenge for me to consider: “How would this feel for a lesbian?” I just kind of worked my way through it. Since my character in the film was involved with both a girl and a boy, I felt that it was quite challenging to express the difference between the two in the romantic scenes.

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Translated by Kaori Takyu