Page 19 - Forbes - Asia (April 2019)

PROMOTION

memories of the past or life experiences—
whether or not I can find a little bit of com-
mon ground. Then I ask if I am really able
to play that role at this point in time. In that
sense, appearing in mainstream action films
during the 90s was a rather reckless chal-
lenge,” he explained.
His career has been a series of challenges,
which have introduced him to talented per-
formers and helped polish his art. “Working
with superstars like Meryl Streep and Sean
Connery gave me new motivation. From
Jon Voight I learned that making a movie is
about teamwork rather than individual effort.
These days, I am picky about who I work
with,” he says.
Cage’s philosophy of life was largely
shaped by his late father, August Coppola.
“My dad was a university professor and
very involved with the arts. He was familiar
with the culture of every country and was,
in fact, particularly interested in Japan. He
introduced me to the classic films of Akira
Kurosawa at a very young age. Even now,
my heroes are [legendary swordsman] Miya-
moto Musashi and [actor] Toshiro Mifune,”
he recalled.
A professor of comparative literature, Cage (right) joined Haruhisa Handa (center) on stage at the Tokyo Art Foundation
a film executive and a lifelong advocate Christmas concert and watch exhibition.
of the arts, August Coppola also had a
strong influence on his younger brother,
acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola, Before designing the Tactile Dome in 1971, has been dubbed “the most subversive film-
who dedicated the coming-of-age drama which is located inside San Francisco’s Explor- maker in Japanese cinema today”—Cage
“Rumble Fish” to his elder brother. August atorium museum, Coppola went about daily answered enthusiastically: “I’m really excited
encouraged members of the Coppola fam- life wearing a blindfold for three months to to work with Mr. Sono.”
ily, including Nicolas and Sofia—Francis’s better grasp the experience of blindness.
daughter who has become a prominent “Sympathy alone is not enough to make this About Nicolas Cage
director in her own right—to embrace other kind of social contribution. My dad and Dr. American actor, director and producer Nico-
cultures and pursue creative endeavors. Handa started with trying to understand the las Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola in
“My father and Haruhisa Handa resemble lives of people with disabilities. It’s not about Long Beach, California, in 1964. Raised among
each other closely, in personality and way of just participating in charities and volunteer- a family of artists and entertainers, he is the
thinking,” Cage said. “Both of them are teach- ing, but rather focusing on actions. By spend- nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola
ers, knowledgeable about world literature ing time with one another, we are trying to and actress Talia Shire, and cousin of direc-
and art, who also love sports. However, there find the meaning of life together. It’s a rela- tors Roman Coppola and Sofia Coppola. After
are many people who can’t easily engage tionship of equals. If we as a society could all working with the prestigious American Con-
with these things. Take, for example, the visu- become aware and accepting of diversity, just servatory Theater, he made his film debut in
ally impaired. Both men share deep empathy think how happy the world would be. This is the 1982 film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”
for people in these circumstances. Based on what I learned from my father and Dr. Handa,” In 1995, we won the Academy Award for Best
his desire to connect people through sports, Cage said. Actor for his performance in “Leaving Las
Dr. Handa established the International Blind It seems Cage has based his career on the Vegas.” He has appeared in numerous works,
Golf Association, which now operates in 16 mindset that he inherited from his father. “As such as “The Rock,” “Con Air,” “Gone in 60 Sec-
countries. My father August wanted blind society becomes more diverse, the charac- onds” and “Mandy.”
people to be able to experience art, so he ters we as actors portray are becoming more
built a structure [called the Tactile Dome] in complex. I want to be able to play those char-
California where you use your sense of touch acters, whether they’re good guys or bad Contact information:
to appreciate artwork in complete darkness. guys,” he said. Misuzu Corporation
In my opinion, Dr. Handa’s vision overlaps When asked by Handa about his upcom- 81-3-3247-5585
with my father’s.” ing project with Sion Sono—a director who www.misuzu.com