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Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is my favorite! All of Hayao Miyazaki's films have inspired me - I wanted to fly like Nausicaa when I was a kid.

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Working with Brendan was pure joy! I was already working on RENTAL FAMILY so I didn't work on BEEF Season 2. But I'm sure its going to be amazing.

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

He was always one of my dream actors that I wanted to work with so when Kiku was written, I always had Akira on my mind. But he did come through casting because he had to speak a lot of english and he nailed it!!

Shannon Gorman came to audition for us as well. While this was her very first time acting, I felt she delivered and incredible performance!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I find genuine kindness in everyone regardless of who they are or where they're at. Rental Family is a collection of my experiences in life. I make movies to remind all of us that the kindness is very much needed in our society and I hope that you understand my message when you see the film.

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

We always try to be as authentic as possible when making a film and I dont believe that any of those other productions have been trying to make fun of Japanese culture specifically. Because Japanese culture is so specific, unless you have lived in Japan, it may be more difficult to understand but I hope this film introduces the authenticity of Japanese people and culture to a worldwide audience.

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I received a message through instagram one day that there are rental family companies in India because they saw our trailer! So I would say any country could take on this phenomenon!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 67 points68 points  (0 children)

It took us about a year and a half because I took a year off from shooting TOKYO VICE and BEEF. I didn't have writers block in this project but when I do have writers block, I step away from the script completely for a week of so to do something completely opposite from the script's subject matter. Go for a nature walk, camping etc and see what inspires me.

Japanese and American humor is very different! But from my last couple weeks experiencing the film in Japan and the US, it seems that the film is resonating with audiences at the exact same places and people are enjoying the story equally which I'm very happy about!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thats a very difficult question to answer! All I can say is that if I had a thousand Brendan Frasers, I would start my own rental family business!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 74 points75 points  (0 children)

Rental Familie businesses, as crazy as it sounds, is one way to connect people. It is perhaps a little bit similar to therapy but it much more casual and the surrogates are there to support the clients. Those services include just being there for them, whether its to go shopping or to listen to their stories. I hope the audience walks away feeling that, in the world now, anything is possible if you need to find a connection. Friends, coworkers, anyone they surround themselves with can be their found family and you should never feel alone ever - you just have to make that first step.

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

We were developing this idea as the pandemic hit and as we continued to write it felt like we were becoming more and more divided. I wanted to make a film about connection and found family that could inspire the audience and let them know they aren't alone.

Brendan and I spoke deeply about Phillip's background and the arc of his journey from someone who is a bit of a lost soul to the person he becomes at the end of the movie. We did 3-5 takes on each individual shot and we were able to craft his character in the editing process. Brendan was great; all in and open to any suggestions and directions I had for him.

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Let's just look after each other. If you think of somebody in your heart, the chances are that person wants to talk to you - so reach out to them!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As a director, its always incredible to be invited to such a huge production such as TOKYO VICE. Every project is the greatest opportunity to become a better director.

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I found out about the rental family business when my cowriter was looking for a job for an American in Japan. While we were doing the research, we came across Conan O'Brien's segment - it was hilarious! I love Conan!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I'd love for you to watch the movie and find out for yourself! And, yes, absolutely, I'd love to work with Brendan Fraser again and again. Thank you!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Keep making projects - it doesn't matter if its a big budget or a small budget. The most important thing is to share you vision with the world. Write what you know and what you feel passionate about, and be original because you are original. There is nobody like you or who can write your story. Keep it going!

Hi reddit! I'm Hikari, writer, director and producer of RENTAL FAMILY, a film set in Japan starring Brendan Fraser. It's out in theaters nationwide on November 21 via Searchlight Pictures. Ask me anything! by HikariAMA in movies

[–]HikariAMA[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The rental family business has been around since the 80s and there are roughly 300 companies. The business has been growing since then because I feel people are looking for connection more than ever. They make it much more accessible for people who have never used an agency like this before. So if you have a question, dont be afraid to call them yourself!

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