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TOKYO, JAPAN — Searchlight Pictures has introduced “Rental Family,” a film that delves into the intriguing world of rental family agencies in Japan.
The movie features a talented cast, including Brendan Fraser, Shannon Gorman, Mari Yamamoto, Takehiro Hira, and Akira Emoto, with direction by Hikari.
To capture the essence of Japan authentically, Hikari chose to film in Tokyo and its neighboring regions.
“Many people may have visited Tokyo before, but I aimed to go beyond the usual,” Hikari explained in an interview with On The Red Carpet. “It was important that the film genuinely reflected our culture.”
On The Red Carpet traveled to Tokyo to engage with Hikari and the cast, exploring some of the film’s shooting locations. Among these was the Sumida Riverwalk, where Fraser’s character Phillip is featured in a scene. Additionally, they roamed the vibrant streets, including one that served as the backdrop for a cat festival attended by Fraser’s Phillip and Gorman’s Mia.
“I wanted it to feel how people have been living through, walking through (the city),” she said. “It’s a massive city, Tokyo is, so just kind of find the right place for people around the world and have that experience.”
One of the coolest experiences was teamLab Borderless, a digital art museum located in the Azabudai Hills section of Tokyo. It features multiple rooms of interactive artwork, including a sketch ocean room, where Fraser and Gorman filmed. It was an experience they raved about when we talked to them in Tokyo.
“It’s such a cool space. I live in Japan but I never went there…when I (was) reading the script, I was like ‘I get to go to teamLab,’” Gorman exclaimed. “It’s different atmosphere, each room. And sometimes it could be really beautiful. And then after like five minutes, it turns into like, sad, emotional and it’s just really cool.”
“It’s a perfect location that represents their relationship at that point in the story because Phillip’s trying so hard and he’s confused. And Mia is wondering, really, who is this guy?,” Fraser said. “It’s a perfect setting for an expression of the inner lives that those two characters are feeling in an atmosphere around them that’s blooming and beautiful and changing and unique.”
Even Yamamoto and Hira, who were not part of that shoot, were excited about teamLab.
“Images are like flying at you and you can stay there forever,” Hira said with a smile.
“It’s just super trippy but also, I think it’s one of those rare spaces where grown-ups get to be kids again,” Yamamoto added.
And we visited Asakusa/Sometaro, the restaurant where Phillip and Emoto’s character Kikou shared a pivotal scene.
“That place, I believe it’s over 100 years old, and it’s the oldest okonomiyaki restaurant in Tokyo. And I come from Osaka, and the food is actually okonomiyaki is originally from the West, so I wanted to mix up the culture from west, west meets east,” Hikari explained.
Fraser added, “I mean if Akira Emoto-san was a restaurant he would be that restaurant! They’re all characters in a play for a very specific reason.”
“Rental Family” gave Brendan Fraser an opportunity to live out a lifelong dream of making a film in a country he loves.
“It fulfills my aspiration for doing this in the first place,” he said. “People have always been welcoming, they’ve always been enthusiastic about filmmaking in a way that’s unique to Japan.”
The cast all bonded quickly.
“We just enjoyed, aside from work, you know, we experienced the whole journey together,” said Hira.
“We just felt like we experienced the beauty of Japan in all like the two, three months that we were here,” added Yamamoto.
“Rental Family” is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Searchlight Pictures, Hulu and this ABC station.
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