In ‘Letters from Iwo Jima,’ there were times when I told Eastwood, ‘This is just not believable.’ Ken Watanabe Read Quote
English is like music. The English language is really fit for singing. The notes match the feelings, and it makes sense. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
Musicals are written in English, and then we import them to Japan. When we translate them into Japanese, the sounds of the language are completely different. The Japanese language is not the best for singing, in terms of sound. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
As a Japanese actor, I really want to work with a lot of actors and actresses in the world and many directors who have many different kinds of talents. I feel like nationally doesn’t matter at all. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
I have no sense of myself as a sex symbol at all. But the meaning of sex symbol might be a little different in Japan to elsewhere. The Japanese version seems to come with a stronger emphasis on a sort of grownup or mature male charm. And if that’s the case, then I guess I’m happy to hear it. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
With ‘Letters from Iwo Jima,’ then ‘Memories of Tomorrow,’ I reached a sort of turning point in my acting. I had poured so much of myself into those movies that I really had no idea where to go from there. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
Each director is different. Clint Eastwood and Chris Nolan are completely different, and I need to adjust to the story and character and the director and just my duty as an actor. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
I’m not a big star in Japan. I’m an actor. I have a very normal life. Four days a week, I cook at home. A star doesn’t do that. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
About half the scripts sent to me feature characters I just can’t identify with, particularly one-dimensional businessmen or, if it’s a comedy, some absurd 10-year-old Japanese stereotype, some role related to IT or business… There’s no point in getting mad about it; it’s just the way things are. Ken Watanabe Read Quote
