Excuse me while I mop up my brains because my head just went kaboom. Jason Gray of Screen Daily broke word today that Franco-Vietnamese auteur Anh Hung Tran will adapt world-renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood for the big screen.
First published in 1987, the novel is a nostalgic rumination told through the eyes of college student Toru, a listless drama major who floats through life and relationships in a haze of melancholy. Set in the turbulent ‘60s, when political and social unrest was the order of the day, Murakami takes a hard view on the period as he juxtaposes Toru’s disengaged nature against largely misguided student movement. 8.7 million copies have been sold in Japan alone and it has been translated in 36 languages. Known for his emotionally complex tales of desire and loss, Murakami, who’s style is heavily influenced by the West, is Japan’s most highly regarded author.
The media shy writer has generally been reticent to having his work adapted into film. Jun Ichikawa’s magnificent adaptation of Tony Takitani has, until now, been the lone exception. Tran became keen on adapting Norwegian Wood after reading the French edition and was able to convince Murakami, who is a fan of the director’s work, to give him his blessing. Tran exploded onto the world cinema stage in 1993 with his stunning debut The Scent of Green Papaya which won the Camera D’or and was nominated for an Oscar. The filmmaker’s ethereal visual style lends itself perfectly for Murakami’s writing.
Chihiro Kameyama, who has long waned to adapt the story, of Fuji TV will produce along with Asmik Ace’s Shinji Ogawa, both major players in the Japanese industry having churned out hits such as Hero and Ping Pong respectively. Plans are to begin production next February for a 2010 release. Tran is currently putting the finishing touches on his highly anticipated international thriller I Come With the Rain (or the greatest title ever) starring Josh Hartnett, Takuya Kimura, Byung-hun Lee, Shawn Yue, and Elias Koteas. The auteur will shoot the film in Japan with an all Japanese cast as it was meant to be. It should be interesting to see the young cast he will put together, particularly that of the mercurial Toru. Even more interesting will be to see if he will insert a Radiohead tune into the film as it has become one of his trademarks. Regardless I’m excited to see what he does with the project.
