Richard Gere finds himself reflecting on the profound nature of connection when discussing his latest film, “Hachi: A Dog’s Story.” This American adaptation of the 1987 Japanese film “Hachiko Monogatari” recounts the poignant tale of an Akita dog’s unwavering loyalty, waiting for its deceased master at a train station. Gere, visiting Japan for his eighth time, shared, “The story is more than a dog waiting for his master. 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.”
Having first visited Japan in 1980 for the filming of “American Gigolo,” Gere admitted he wasn’t deeply familiar with Hachiko’s legend, which has become an integral part of Japanese folklore. The narrative centers on Hachiko, who faithfully awaited his owner, a professor at the University of Tokyo, at Shibuya train station every day. Even after the professor’s death, the loyal Akita continued this vigil for a decade, until its own passing in 1935. In tribute to Hachiko’s devotion, a statue was erected outside Shibuya station in 1934, later replaced by a new bronze one in 1948 after the original was melted down during the war. This statue has since become one of Tokyo’s most popular meeting points.
Gere described his first visit to the Hachiko statue as an intensely emotional experience, especially with the sculptor present. “In fact, when I first read the script about three years ago, I started crying,” he confessed. “I read it once more and cried again, so I knew it was something I should take seriously. We tried to make our movie simply and honestly, making sure we were respectful toward the original story. It’s like a fable.”
The original Japanese film, starring Tatsuya Nakadai, achieved significant success, grossing over 4 billion yen in Japan. The new rendition, titled “Hachi, Yakusoku no Inu” in Japan, shifts the setting to Rhode Island and is directed by Lasse Hallstrom, known for “The Hoax” and “Chocolat.” Gere portrays the professor, with Joan Allen playing his wife.
The true stars of the film, according to Gere, were the three Akita dogs who embodied Hachiko. “Akitas are extremely difficult to train,” he quipped. “Food and affection won’t work with them. We hired three of the best trainers in America and I think they made more money than I did.” He recounted his initial encounter with the dogs: “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.”
Gere, who also served as a producer, and Hallstrom opted for digital shooting to best capture the interactions between the actor and the dogs, avoiding the need for numerous short 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 remarked.
Known for his humanitarian work on issues such as Tibet and AIDS, Gere consciously avoided using media encounters to promote specific causes, a departure from his past practices. Instead, he focused on fostering a more relaxed atmosphere with reporters. “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 engage with photographers were met with professional distance; they preferred to capture his image rather than engage in conversation. “OK, forget about it,” Gere conceded with a smile. “I’m outta here. See ya.”
“Hachi: A Dog’s Story” is scheduled to open in Japan on August 8th.
© Japan Today
