20 years ago, I read Yoshihiro Tatsumi's Goodbye. Never in my wildest dream, would I have imagined that I will end up directing those characters in his work for the big screen! I used to draw comics for magazines and newspapers in the 80s. A major publishing house suggested that I come up with a graphic novel but the deadline was in three months! I was anxious as I was not prepared for the short turnaround time. But it happened that a friend passed me a copy of Tatsumi sensei's book Goodbye and Other Stories by Catalan Publications. I was blown away by what I was reading. The material gave me so much inspiration and ideas that I was able to come up, on time, with the graphic stories needed for my book. Thanks to Tatsumi sensei, my first graphic novel was published!
From comic panels, I moved on and adopted a new medium to tell my stories. I became a film director. However, those powerful stories from sensei's graphic novel stayed with me. Unconsciously, they gave me the impetus and courage to explore the dark side of human nature. Themes such as yearning, loneliness and the irony of life all spoke to me. So it is not surprising that the many characters in my previous films, Mee Pok Man, 12 Storeys, Be with Me and My Magic come from the underbelly of society.
Many years passed, Tatsumi sensei's name cropped up again when I was at a bookstore, three years ago. I chanced upon his 800-page autobiography, A Drifting Life. I was so excited and overwhelmed. It was like meeting up with a long lost friend again!! I read the book with much anticipation. I found A Drifting Life to be truly inspirational and my admiration for the man grew. Despite the trials and tribulations he encountered throughout his life, he persisted in his craft of telling good stories and drawing them. I was extremely moved by his love and passion.
When I reached the end of the book, I chanced upon Tatsumi sensei's picture. Smiling at me, was an elderly gentlemen, his face propped up with his hands. Then I was struck by an idea. What if I made his life story into a film? I went back and spoke to a few of my Japanese friends regarding contacting Sensei. They agreed to write to him. It proved to be more difficult than I thought. I didn't hear back from any of them. Then suddenly, after a few months, one of my friends Mr Masato Yamamoto called up and told me that he had received a fax from Sensei. My hopes were rekindled!
A meeting was arranged by Masato to meet up with Sensei. I then flew to Tokyo and had a three hour conversation with him, through a translator, in a café at the Jimbocho area. My heart was racing as multitudes of "what ifs" appeared in my head before we met. Fortunately, our meeting turned out well. Sensei is a pleasant and gracious man. At the end of it, he gave me his blessings.
From then onwards, it was no turning back. It has been two and a half years since we met. During this time, I have been on an incredible journey, working on my first animated film. The production period has been the longest of any of my film projects but it has given me fresh perspective as a film maker. I have also grown accustomed to calling Mr Tatsumi, "Sensei". It is a term that the Japanese use to address a teacher or someone who is accomplished and whom they respect. For me, I cannot find a better word for a man who has taught and influenced me so much through his works. Today marks the day when the film is opening in the UK. I hope audiences will embrace Tatsumi's work and find as much joy watching the film as we have found making it.