Page 25 - Forbes - Asia (March 2020)

PROMOTION

my 20s, there were two actors I admired:
One was Marlon Brando, and the other
was Toshiro Mifune [the star of several films
directed by legendary Japanese filmmaker
Akira Kurosawa]. I’ve seen a lot of Kurosawa
films and I’m always impressed by his way of
directing.
“My reason for coming to Japan this
time is to meet someone who’s been
called ‘a modern-day Renaissance man,’ a
businessman who sings Italian opera and is
renowned as an artist,” he says.
The person Hoffman wanted to meet is
Haruhisa Handa, President of Misuzu Corp.,
which runs Handa Watch World. The actor
says he strongly empathizes with Handa’s
dedication to social contribution.

The True Meaning of Charity
“In recent years, terrorist attacks have
become more common all over the world.
Natural disasters caused by climate change
have increased, killing many. We hear about
all of this on the news, but once things calm
down, we forget. Some of the survivors of
these tragedies have been seriously injured
and need help. Haruhisa Handa understands
that it takes time to come to terms with
these events. He has set up hospitals in
conflict zones to care for those in distress The Tenkomori Art Exhibition, cosponsored by Misuzu Corp., took place in Tokyo Dec. 6-10.
and supports the injured through sports- Traveling with his wife, Hoffman made a special guest appearance at the show.
related activities. It’s amazing,” Hoffman says.
Handa is the Chairperson of the
International Sports Promotion Society I went, it was completely different to what “An actor has to condense a life of 10, 20 or
(ISPS), which supports a variety of sporting I’d imagined. By feeling close to death, 50 years into the span of two hours. It’s never
activities worldwide. One of the most the children probably understood the easy. Sometimes it takes more than a year to
famous ISPS events is the PGA “Pro-Amateur” importance of living in the moment. The learn a part, and every film is a big challenge.
golf tournament, which gives blind and children were communing with nature and Once I am given the role, I research every
disabled golfers the opportunity to play with learning how to live. The place was full of angle about the character to understand
top golfers. vitality. Being with other kids in the same how his personality developed from birth. I
Hoffman has supported similar charity situation created a sense of camaraderie and have to understand the character’s thoughts
work and describes establishing a camp for they encouraged each other. It’s something and motivations for his behaviors,” he says.
children with cancer as one of his greatest I’ll never forget,” Hoffman recalls. “I realized In all endeavors, Hoffman never fails to get
achievements. that I was stupid to doubt the strength to the heart of the matter. He concludes the
“A long time ago, my wife’s cousin got of those kids. They’re much smarter and interview with a few words of wisdom: “No
leukemia at the age of six,” Hoffman says. stronger than me.” one is perfect. Everybody has their strengths
“Although she was forbidden from playing and weaknesses. But accepting yourself is no
outside, she longed to go to camp, but there Inhabiting a Character easy task. At least in my case, even though I
was no camp for kids with leukemia at that Hoffman is a method actor who believes want to be a great person, I’m still struggling
time. That memory stayed with me, so I that actors must fully inhabit the experiences to become my ideal self. It’s the effort that
founded a campsite for children with cancer. and emotions of a character to play the part counts, and I’ll keep trying for the rest of my
There was a hospital nearby, and helicopters effectively. For his role as Raymond Babbitt in life.”
were on hand to take the children there in the 1988 film “Rain Man,” Hoffman spent two
case of an emergency. years getting to know people with autism. He
“Visitors were allowed, but I didn’t have used insights gained through observations Contact information:
the courage to go at first because I didn’t and interviews with one individual in Misuzu Corporation
know if the children were enjoying it. I was particular—a man with savant syndrome— 81-3-3247-5585
worried that they might be sad. But when to develop Raymond’s character. www.misuzu.com