Richard Gere delves into the profound themes of loyalty and companionship in his latest film, “Hachi: A Dog’s Story.” This American adaptation of the beloved 1987 Japanese film, “Hachiko Monogatari,” chronicles the unwavering devotion of an Akita dog who faithfully awaited its master at a train station, even after the master’s passing. “The story is more than a dog waiting for his master,” Gere shared during his recent visit to Japan. “It goes beyond the normal sense of loyalty. It is a connection between two beings. There is no subservience, no master and no dog; rather, they are soul friends.”
Gere, a frequent visitor to Japan since filming “American Gigolo” in 1980, admitted he wasn’t initially familiar with the legend of Hachiko, a figure now ingrained in Japanese folklore. The true story recounts how Hachiko would daily accompany his master, a professor at the University of Tokyo, to the Shibuya train station and await his return. Following the professor’s death, Hachiko continued this vigil for a decade until his own passing in 1935. A bronze statue, erected in his honor outside Shibuya station in 1934 and later replaced in 1948 after being melted down during the war, now stands as a popular meeting point and a testament to the dog’s enduring loyalty.
Recounting his first visit to the Hachiko statue, Gere described the experience as deeply emotional, especially with the sculptor present. “In fact, when I first read the script about three years ago, I started crying. I read it once more and cried again, so I knew it was something I should take seriously,” he confessed. The filmmakers aimed to honor the original narrative, striving for a simple and honest portrayal that remained respectful of the heartwarming fable.
The original Japanese film, starring Tatsuya Nakadai, achieved significant box office success in Japan, earning over 4 billion yen. The American version, titled “Hachi, Yakusoku no Inu” in Japan, shifts the setting to Rhode Island and is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, known for films like “The Hoax” and “Chocolat.” Richard Gere takes on the role of the professor, with Joan Allen portraying his wife.
Gere highlighted that three Akita dogs were the true stars of the production. “Akitas are extremely difficult to train. Food and affection won’t work with them,” he explained. “We hired three of the best trainers in America and I think they made more money than I did,” he quipped. He shared that building trust with the dogs was a gradual process. “For my first meeting with the dogs, I was told not to even look at them or do anything to try and get them to like me. It took three days before I gained their trust.”
As both an actor and producer, Gere and Hallstrom opted for digital filming to seamlessly capture the interactions between the cast and the dogs. “Sometimes, we would shoot up to 10 hours a day, focusing on the dogs, and then I’d just get 10 minutes for my part. I was definitely second-class on this film,” Gere admitted.
Known for his humanitarian work on various causes, including Tibet and AIDS, Gere consciously chose not to use media appearances to promote specific initiatives, a departure from his past practices. Instead, he focused on fostering a more relaxed atmosphere with the press. “In the U.S. and Europe, there is more interaction with reporters,” he observed. “But whenever I am in Japan and try to crack jokes, everyone acts like it would be impolite to laugh.” His attempts to engage casually with photographers were met with professional distance, as they preferred to capture his image. “OK, forget about it,” Gere conceded with a smile. “I’m outta here. See ya.”
“Hachi: A Dog’s Story” premiered in Japan on August 8th.
References
- Gere, R. (2009, August 8). “Hachi: A Dog’s Story” opens in Japan. Japan Today.
