Richard Gere, during his eighth visit to Japan, shared his philosophical insights on his latest film, “Hachi: A Dog’s Story.” This American adaptation of the 1987 Japanese film “Hachiko Monogatari” tells the poignant tale of an Akita dog’s unwavering loyalty, famously depicted waiting for its deceased master at a train station. Gere, 59, emphasized that the narrative transcends a simple story of a dog’s devotion, stating, “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, who has been visiting Japan since filming “American Gigolo” in 1980, admitted he wasn’t deeply familiar with Hachiko’s legend, despite its place in Japanese folklore. The story recounts how Hachiko would daily await its master, a professor at the University of Tokyo, at Shibuya train station. Even after the professor’s passing, the devoted Akita continued this vigil for a decade until its own death in 1935. A statue was erected in Hachiko’s honor outside Shibuya station in 1934, later replaced by a new bronze casting in 1948 after the original was melted down during the war. This memorial site remains one of Tokyo’s most frequented meeting points.
Describing his first visit to the Hachiko statue as an intensely emotional experience, particularly with the sculptor present, Gere recounted his initial reaction to the script. “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 revealed. The filmmaking process aimed for simplicity and honesty, striving to remain respectful of the original narrative, which Gere likened to a fable.
The original Japanese film, starring Tatsuya Nakadai, achieved significant success, grossing over 4 billion yen in Japan. The American version, titled “Hachi, Yakusoku no Inu” in Japan, is set in Rhode Island and directed by Lasse Hallstrom, known for “The Hoax” and “Chocolat.” Gere portrays the professor, with Joan Allen playing his wife.
Gere highlighted that the true stars of the film were the three Akita dogs used to portray Hachiko, noting the breed’s challenging temperament. “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 recalled the initial three days of filming, where he was instructed not to interact with the dogs to earn their trust, stating, “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 director Lasse Hallstrom opted for digital filmmaking to better capture the nuanced interactions between the star and the canine actors. This approach allowed for longer, more naturalistic takes. “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, particularly concerning Tibet and AIDS, Gere consciously refrained from using media engagements to promote specific causes during this visit. Instead, he expressed a desire for more relaxed interactions 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.” Even his attempts to connect with photographers were met with a professional distance, as they focused on capturing his image. “OK, forget about it,” Gere concluded with a smile. “I’m outta here. See ya.”
“Hachi: A Dog’s Story” premiered in Japan on August 8th.
