Shimotsu Yuta Explains the Human Pyramid in New Group
The film turns a schoolyard human pyramid into a metaphor for peer pressure and social conformity, a premise Shimotsu developed over two years after reading sociology.
Reporting from 1 sources: Eiga Natalie.
Director Shimotsu Yuta discussed his sci-fi psycho-entertainment film New Group at a May 28 preview in Tokyo. He explained how reading about group behavior in society led to the idea of a human pyramid as an extreme form of conformity. Cast members Yamada Anna, Aoki Yu, and Pierre Taki were also discussed.
Shimotsu said the idea came from a book that described society as made up of groups: countries, regions, companies, schools, families. He found that interesting and it stuck with him. He then thought about how disciplined groups can be as scary as zombie-like ones, and took group behavior to its extreme: a human pyramid. Film writer SYO, who attended the screening, said the pyramid symbolized the social structure of peer pressure.
Shimotsu cast Yamada Anna as the withdrawn girl Ai, drawn to her ability to show a suffering appearance. He said having her at the center probably made the weird film work. Aoki Yu plays the transfer student Yu, and Shimotsu praised his acting skills and chemistry with Yamada. Pierre Taki plays the principal, described as having a villainous presence.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Eiga Natalie 「NEW GROUP」下津優太が人間ピラミッドに込めた思いとは、山田杏奈＆青木柚は相性良し