[TV special commemorating the 160th anniversary of friendship between Japan and France] Gérard Depardieu's Japan travel documentary to be broadcast in September

Cooperate with the production of a program commemorating the 160th anniversary of Japan-France friendship

This year marks the 160th anniversary of Japan-France friendship in 2018, and a wide range of Japanese cultural events and commemorative projects are being held all over France, mainly in Paris.

Under these circumstances, filming for a Japanese introduction program called the French TV program “The Adventures of Depardieu: Japan Edition (tentative title)” crank in.
In the same program, French actor Gérard Depardieu and Japanese actress Takeda Eriko, active in France, travel to various places and try to elucidate the full appeal of Japanese culture from the viewpoint of excavation unique to the region, such as nature, historical heritage, traditional crafts, etc.

At Japan Promotion, we cooperated with program production by coordinating coverage destinations centered around Fukui and Kyoto.

The Adventures of Depardieu: Japan Edition (tentative title)
L'ODYSSEE DEPARTDIEU ~ CITOYEN DU MONDE ~ Le Japon
‍◎ Broadcast period: scheduled for 2018/9 ◎ Cast: Gérard Depardieu/Eriko Takeda
◎ Producer: Jean-Maurice Belaiche
◎ Coverage locations: Tokyo/Fukui/Kyoto/Okayama/Hiroshima
◎ Cooperation: Japan Promotion Association, etc.

A travel documentary about a French national actor traveling all over Japan

Mr. Depardieu, who works as a traveler in “The Adventures of Depardieu: Japan Edition,” is a big actor who has won numerous honors at the American and British Academy Awards, including the Cannes Film Festival Best Actor Award for the film “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

He holds the French film industry's top audience mobilization record, and is still active at the forefront of the entertainment industry at the age of 69.
In recent years, not only movie actors, but also TV shows on the theme of travel and food, and books such as essays and autobiographies have attracted attention and have gained national popularity in France.

He is also an extraordinary Japanese enthusiast, and he himself has shown a desire to deepen his essential understanding of Japanese culture, and all the staff have expressed that they are working together to aim for a high-quality travel documentary that has never been seen before.

Mr. Depardieu's rave review “Bringing the splendor of Fukui to the world”

The production team led by Mr. Depardieu placed “zazen meditation, lacquerware, and sake brewery” as one of the keys to introducing Japanese culture this time.

As a region that combines these 3 elements, fiscal year 2017Japan Expo ParisWe recommended Fukui City, also known as the popular local character “Asakura Yumemaru,” which achieved its first European expansion, and the project was carried out.

Mr. Depardieu and his entourage stayed in Fukui for 4 days from 4/7 (Sat) to 10 (Tue).
In addition to visiting places of interest such as the “Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins” known as Pompeii in Japan, and the “Yokokan Garden,” a villa of the lord of the Fukui Domain, and the rich food culture and sake breweries of the Sea of Japan, we carefully faced the appeal of lacquerware making in Sabae City and zazen meditation at Eiheiji Temple, the head temple of the Soto sect.

I also met Mr. Iwano Ichibei, the ninth living national treasure, an Echizen washi craftsman, and also filmed a valuable story.
Impressed by the deep and sincere manufacturing method that does not use any chemicals, Mr. Depardieu purchased many sheets of Japanese paper after the shooting was over.

Mr. Depardieu has visited Japan many times, and he raved about Fukui for being an attraction he had never experienced before. Along with Mr. Takeda's moving comment, “I want to shoot a movie in Fukui someday,” it was widely reported in various newspapers.

＞＞City Exhibits at Japan Expo and “I want to convey splendor”: Fukui Shimbun 4/11
>> “Fukui Prefecture's Goodness to the World” French actor, TV program shooting: prefectural citizen Fukui 4/11
※Click here for information on Fukui City's participation in Japan Expo Paris＞＞

Focus on the spirituality of inheriting traditions and spread proper cultural understanding

Next time I visited Kyoto, Kyoto hand-painted yuzen master craftsmen”Yoshikawa DyeingWe covered the workshop of”.
Mr. Depardieu, who was greatly moved by the delicate elegance of Kyo-yuzen with his skilled techniques, was also interested in the “heart” of inheriting traditions unique to Japan, and listened to the stories of the craftsmen while shining his eyes.

Also, while touching on unique manners and attitudes, such as visiting shrines and playing at teahouses,
“Traditional culture never fades because Japan has strict rules. However, it is constantly changing as we move towards the future. Being able to capture “Japan,” which has such a different appeal depending on the region, is also a big harvest. This program and my mission is to spread ways to enjoy Japan and correct cultural understanding that Westerners still don't know.”
They talked about their enthusiasm for going on air.

Viewable in 250 million households worldwide

“The Adventures of Depardieu: Japan Edition” will continue to be filmed in Okayama and Hiroshima, and in September, it is scheduled to be broadcast on a channel specialized in culture and art that can be viewed by 165 million households in Europe and 250 million households around the world when combined.

In particular, it has gathered support from many intellectuals and wealthy people, and since it is broadcast in an immovable popularity frame, it is expected that various effects and effects will be greatly raised not only throughout France but also around the world, such as rising name recognition and attracting inbound customers.

Please keep an eye out for this important initiative to liven up the memorable year of the 160th anniversary of Japan-France friendship!