I believe that fantasy in the meaning of imagination is very important. We shouldn't stick too close to everyday reality but give room to the reality of the heart, of the mind, and of the imagination.

Those are shrines. Some people believe spirits live in them.

I managed to work for more than 50 years with just paper, pencils and film. My son's generation and the one coming up after can't work with just paper and pencils any more. I managed to avoid using a computer. I don't even have a cellphone. I feel lucky I managed to live like that.

The single difference between films for children and films for adults is that in films for children, there is always the option to start again, to create a new beginning. In films for adults, there are no ways to change things. What happened, happened.

I myself become terrified of death when I am in a negative state of mind. But the thought of death ceases to bother me once I become productive.

I would like to make a film to tell children "it's good to be alive".

Since I am a person who starts work without clear knowledge of a storyline, every single scene is a pivotal scene.