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The iDol is a science fiction
satire that takes aim at the across-the-board
otaku culture of Japan. Shot in Tokyo, The
iDol features locations throughout the Japanese
megalopolis. In addition, The iDol boasts
acting talent from such well known films as the
Gamera, Godzilla and Ju-on
franchises, The Grudge and countless Japanese
TV and theatrical productions. A peek behind the
scenes of The iDol reveals vast talent, with
work being contributed by top rung staffers on such
notable films as the Ringu series, Ju-on
series, The Grudge, Returner, the
Millennium Godzilla series, the Heisei
Gamera series, the Zeiram series,
Yokai Daisensou, Inugami, and even
Ultraman, to name a few.
The creation of The iDol started over three
years ago when in early 2002 writer / director
Norman England began to piece together a story that
would incorporate some of his observations of Japan
and his fondness for the science fiction genre -- a
genre woefully underused in Japanese live-action
cinema. After fashioning the script began the
tedious phase of porting it over to the Japanese
language. Working with scriptwriter Jiro Kaneko, the
two spent more than two years fine-tuning and doing
their best to preserve Norman's unusual sense of
humor.
During this time a solid cast and able crew were
pieced together. As a reporter on cinema production
for nearly ten years, Norman was able to tap into
his contacts within the Japanese domestic film
world. Many of those who have befriended the
displaced New Yorker were more than eager to add
their talents to his first film. Likewise, producer
Shinako Sudo elevated the production by pulling many
of her associates into the project. And prior to
shooting, the production of The iDol forged
relationships with several Japanese film related
companies, such as Panasonic, Digital DU, rental
company Tec's and talent agency Stardust Promotion.
Within the pages of this website you can find
information pertaining to the production of The
iDol. As the film is still in active production,
information will be modified and added as it becomes
available.
Please make yourself at home and should you have any
comments or questions drop a line.
Ken is a mild-mannered man in his
mid-twenties who like many his age has interests
that stopped developing during adolescence. On a
visit to a local toy collectors shop he acquires a
rare alien action figure. Unexpectedly, Ken's world
is turned inside out as the somewhat silly looking
toy alters his life by benevolently giving him
everything he has ever dreamed of, and then
callously taking it all back!
Ken's immature desires and indecisive nature are pit
against a collection of seemingly normal, yet
equally misguided characters who illustrate how all
of us are victims of a socially implanted drive for
things not in our own best interests.
Directing The iDol has been one
of the greatest experiences of my life. Beyond being
the opportunity to create a movie of my own, it has
allowed me to collaborate professionally with many
of the filmmakers whose work I have been covering as
a writer / reporter for magazines such as Fangoria,
Starlog, The Japan Times, Hobby Japan, etc. In
addition, it has brought me in contact with a new
group of filmmakers, all talented and hardworking.
Moreover, directing The iDol has challenged
me in new ways by forcing me to deal with elements
of film production not easily gleaned from books or
movie set visits. Overall, it's been quite an
education!
Thematically I approached the story wishing to
create a situation based on things I know well and
to revolve them around social elements on which I
wish to comment. Of the first, this means science
fiction films and old toys. Of the later, my concern
with the impact advertising has on the formation of
our personalities and sensibilities, which I believe
creates an unnatural sense of need for things we
would otherwise disregard. While on the surface an
off-the-wall story of a Japanese toy collector,
The iDol considers how our desires have been
manipulated to meet the demands of society. No place
in the world is this as endemic as in Japan, where
unchecked marketing has reached heights that make
the US and its own excessiveness pale in comparison.
Raised in New York and now a resident of Japan I
have directly experienced how advertising reshapes a
person's tastes and values. The inspiration for
The iDol sprang from the recognition that my
sense of aesthetics had inexplicably altered over
many years of living in Japan. I attribute this to
the daily inundation of the advertising environment
within which the Japanese (and in my case,
non-Japanese) people live.
Even though The iDol is a low-budget film,
I've strived to keep the production values high and
the story lively and enjoyable. Perhaps my favorite
time in motion picture cinema came during the 1950s
and early 1960s when US science fiction films were
at their peek. During this era many films of dubious
quality were produced. However, the filmmakers of
this age endeavored to keep their stories on-target
and fast paced -- and they were not afraid to rely
on the imagination of the audience to help them over
their films rough spots. This is the spirit I am
trying to emulate in the production of The iDol.
Making films in Japan has many merits. Not only is
it the place I roll out of bed into each morning,
but Japan ranks as one of the world's most
cinematically innovative nations, with the market
for Japanese motion pictures experiencing a global
boom. As for filmmaking itself, I find Japanese
crews to be extremely dedicated and less prone to
complain. Furthermore, there is a refreshing
craftsman-like approach to their cinema production.
Things may be a little rough around the edges in
Japanese film, but this is because of the
all-too-human way in which they make movies. I find
this echoes the sensibilities of the sci-fi films of
the 1950s that I revere.
Watching movies is a relaxing way to pass the time.
Unfortunately, their creation can be toilsome,
taxing and trying. As such, I would like to express
my sincere admiration and gratitude to all of the
people -- staff, cast, friends, family -- who have
supported The iDol. Without their help and
strength The iDol would simply not exist.
Norman England
October 2005 |