Chapter 47: Filming of Infernal Affairs Begins, the Buddha's Head Emerges from the Water!

Chapter 47: The Filming of Infernal Affairs Begins, and the Buddha Head Emerges from the Water!

There are many eccentric people in this world, and among those eccentrics, Sion Sono is definitely one of the most special.

Why would Takeshi Iwata ask that question? What else did he like besides movies? Was that important?

At least, when it came to a freak like Sion Sono, it was very important.

Takeshi Iwata remembered that in the original timeline, Sion Sono had directed many films that made it difficult to tell whether they were pink films or bizarre cult movies. Later on, however, there was a film he personally wrote and directed called *Guilty of Romance*.

This movie was extremely cult-like, and it could even be said to have perfectly inherited the orthodox tradition of the ATG company.

In the film, setting aside the bloody scenes, let's talk about the adult ones.

At the time, the well-known gravure idol Megumi Kagurazaka generously displayed her stunning figure, fully embodying the image of a housewife whose husband showed her no care as she abandoned herself to wild indulgence.

However, after filming was completed, Sion Sono proposed to Megumi Kagurazaka, and the two married after the movie's release.

Megumi Kagurazaka's explicit scenes remained in the film.

Some might scoff at Sion Sono's selfless spirit of sharing, but according to the eccentric logic of a man like Sono.

Perhaps he was simply too lazy to cut them out, and anyway, his wife already had plenty of similar work in her past.

Or maybe he was just showing off.

Hoping everyone would say to him: Your wife is truly amazing.

Of course, Takeshi Iwata couldn't be sure what Sion Sono was actually thinking. To be fair, probably no normal person could ever figure out what went on in this guy's head.

However, one thing was entirely certain: the original Sion Sono loved movies, and he also loved huge breasts.

That was why Takeshi Iwata had asked that question.

Huge breasts—correct answer.

This proved that the Sion Sono in this world was the exact one Takeshi Iwata knew.

Confirmed: an authentic, original-edition specimen.

In that case...

"You came at the right time. We happen to be short of people here."

"Boss, I understand. You're at least missing a cinematographer, right?"

"Oh, you catch on fast."

"Movies are my life. I've seen the boss's work, and it's truly... *sugoi*! But I could also tell there were some minor flaws; certain shots clearly weren't filmed by a professional."

Sion Sono had already stood up, and as he conversed with Takeshi Iwata, he fully displayed his specialized expertise.

"Very well. It seems you really do love movies, my friend."

"Thank you, Boss! Um, so can I fill in as the cinematographer first?"

"Allowed."

"Thank you so much!"

Just like that, Sion Sono joined Takeshi Iwata's crew.

A-Qing, the blonde-haired punk who had witnessed the entire process, felt a surge of pressure.

The man in the fedora before him could be so utterly shameless; he hadn't seen that coming at all and had initially thought him to be some formidable filmmaker.

On second thought, though, a guy like this seemed like he could actually be of help to the boss.

Damn it, I, A-Qing, need to work hard too, otherwise, I'll be surpassed by the new guy in the boss's eyes!

Takeshi Iwata had no idea what A-Qing was thinking. Having someone who was eccentric yet highly professional come to help made things much easier, at least.

Moreover, Takeshi Iwata immediately pulled out the script for *Infernal Affairs* and let Sion Sono take a look.

He also informed Sion Sono that *Infernal Affairs* would start filming immediately and instructed him to come to the Iwata Studio every day starting soon. The man in the fedora was naturally overjoyed, offering a flurry of flattery without a shred of an artist's pride.

And so, this future representative of Japanese cult cinema was successfully brought under his wing. But...

Wasn't this a bit hasty?

Are we in the Iwata Crew now just a bunch of ugly guys plus one weirdo?

No, no, I, Takeshi Iwata, can still carry the team with my looks. He blushed slightly.

Takeshi Iwata wasn't trying to elevate himself here.

Yet there was no help for it at the moment; let's just let the Iwata Studio maintain this particular style for now.

After Sion Sono and A-Qing left, Shimazu approached shortly after.

"Boss, there's a call from Hiroyuki Sanada's side."

"Did he agree?"

"Yes!"

"Very well! Then... we start filming immediately!"

"Yes!"

The boss's decisive and swift style filled Shimazu with deep admiration.

In truth, however, Takeshi Iwata simply didn't have much time to waste.

...

Hiroyuki Sanada had started from a very high vantage point.

This was, of course, entirely thanks to his mentor, Sonny Chiba.

Later on, his true rise to fame came with the immensely famous *Ninja in the Dragon's Den* (alternatively known by its Japanese title *Makai Tensei*).

This film was truly fantastic, and Hiroyuki Sanada held his mentor's performance in absolute, breathless awe.

With his role as Kirimaru in this movie, he won the Best Newcomer award at the 5th Japan Academy Film Prize.

To be honest, he felt a bit undeserving, as this hadn't even been his first film.

He still owed thanks to his teacher and the director of *Makai Tensei*, Kinji Fukasaku.

His subsequent career progression was smooth, especially with *The Legend of the Eight Samurai*, which earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

However, in recent years...

Hiroyuki Sanada seemed to have hit a bottleneck. Having been on an upward trajectory all along, he not only found himself unable to climb any higher, but there was even a possibility he might start slipping.

The critical reception for the film *The Icicle Thief* was fairly decent; while the box office wasn't dazzlingly high, it was respectable enough.

Even so, it was a lighthearted and comedic movie, completely different in style from Sanada's previous work.

In truth, Sanada felt somewhat lost. He was attempting a transition in style without achieving sufficient success.

It was precisely under these circumstances that an invitation arrived for a film called *Infernal Affairs*.

*Infernal Affairs*? Akina Nakamori?

He had previously collaborated with Akina Nakamori's good friend Kyoko Koizumi. If he could work with Akina Nakamori this time as well, then he...

Hiroyuki Sanada agreed almost without a second thought.

Furthermore, he knew that the director of this movie was Takeshi Iwata, a guy who had been a complete nobody just a few months ago, yet had now risen to become a widely discussed, high-profile director!

Perhaps collaborating with someone like this could help cure his sense of bewilderment.

Hiroyuki Sanada hadn't expected the other party to be in such a rush, though.

Filming was about to start right away?

Yet when the script was delivered and he looked through it...

*Sugoi*!

...

Hot springs were something the Japanese universally adored.

However, Hiroyuki Sanada never expected that Director Iwata of *Infernal Affairs* would directly instruct him to meet at a hot spring hotel in Hakone.

This...

Driven by intense curiosity, he came anyway.

Hakone was the very place where the annual Hakone Ekiden relay race was held.

The scenery here was breathtaking, and both Owakudani and Kowakudani boasted numerous hot spring ryokans.

The one he stepped into featured a completely traditional Japanese interior, giving one the sensation of stepping back into the Heian period.

After stating his purpose to the staff, someone immediately led him toward the filming location.

Generally speaking, shooting a film required the permission of the establishment. Moreover, proprietors understood that appearing in a movie served as a form of publicity, so location fees were usually waived.

However, disruption to regular guests had to be avoided at all costs.

If a shoot involved large-scale scenes, the venue would have to be closed to the public.

Judging by the looks of it now, this was just a routine, small-scale shoot, right?

Before long, Hiroyuki Sanada arrived at the set of *Infernal Affairs*.

As soon as he appeared, someone gestured for him to keep quiet. Understanding, he nodded.

Fortunately, in this style of Japanese ryokan, the rooms were laid out with tatami mats. Walking across them in just socks produced no sound at all.

Inside the room was a private hot spring bath—a tub designated for single-occupancy use.

Clearly, this was of the more luxurious variety.

The hotel was brilliantly designed; the outdoor side of the private bath looked directly out toward the mountains. Many maples had been planted here intentionally, and right now, during the proper season, the maple leaves had turned fiery red, dyeing the entire mountain range in crimson hues.

Looking out into the distance, one could only gasp in continuous admiration.

At this moment, a camera was aimed directly at the private bath, capturing the magnificent mountain scenery outside as well.

A group of people surrounded the camera. Sanada walked over softly.

Yet one man was already soaking in the private bath.

It was a male figure; only his shoulder blades protruding above the water's surface were visible, but one could easily tell that this man must be quite tall and broad-shouldered.

A mobile phone lay on the edge of the tub, suddenly ringing at that very moment.

"Moshi-moshi."

"Good."

"I want you to be clear about one thing: who you really are."

Huh? These lines???

While Hiroyuki Sanada was pondering the meaning of the dialogue, the man in the private bath slowly stood up.

In an instant, Sanada's eyes widened in shock!

Yakuza members all had tattoos; it was their most crucial emblem.

And as the tall man before him stood up, his tattoos gradually revealed themselves.

It was the head of the Buddha!

To Sanada's eyes, this shot looked precisely like a grand Buddha slowly rising from the surface of the water.

*Su... sugoi*!

The head of the Buddha, the water of the hot spring, and the crimson mountains in the distance.

Just this single shot alone deeply shook Hiroyuki Sanada.