Last year, Narumi Muranaka, attended ADFEST 2016 as a Fabulous Four New Director.
 

Her short film, called ‘Beautiful Lie’, tells the story of a thief who breaks into a house and finds a blind girl waiting by the Christmas tree. He takes pity on her and pretends to be Santa, giving her a necklace from around his neck before he leaves without stealing a thing.
 

But there’s an unexpected twist – watch it here
 

We caught up with Narumi, who is a director at TYO Inc. in Tokyo, to find out how being a Fabulous Four director has changed her career.
 

What was it like to attend ADFEST and to showcase your film to a live audience?
 
Usually, when I work on TVCM productions, I cannot see the faces of the audience.
 
So, I got so nervous when I saw the reaction of the audience in real time. And I was so happy they gave me the impression of how they felt.
 

The theme of ADFEST 2016 was ‘Creative Intelligence’, which inspired your short film, ‘Beautiful lie’. Can you tell me how you came up with the idea for your film? Do you think lying can be beautiful?
 
At first, I thought it would be interesting if one thief met another thief together.
After that, I re-interpreted the meaning of “Creative Intelligence”, and I tried changing the word to not just “Flash” or “Idea” but another word.
 
Then, I thought that “The lie” needs more “Creativity” and “Intelligence” than “Flash” or “Idea”, and so I started creating this story.
 
I think lying can be beautiful if it’s for someone and it never leaks out.  
 

You only had a few weeks to direct your film. Was it difficult making a film in such a short time?
 
It was so hard to do.
 
We had to decide the script, location, craft, casting and translation.
 
And the budget is not so high, so we always talked about how it would be better with the producer’s creative intelligence. It should have been impossible without the powers of the producer and the staff.    
 

Whatwas your favourite thing about ADFEST 2016?
 
It was Young Lotus.
 
I got so interested that those who are from same generation from all over the world gave very attractive presentations.      
 

Where do you work now and what is your job title?
 
I work in the TVCM production unit at TYO Inc. I work as a director and planner of TV commercials or web movies.
 

What is your dream job?
 
It is to make a movie that moves people’s hearts with emotions such as impressions, interests or dislikes. I’m not sure yet that it will be in direction, planning or scriptwriting.
 

What is your favourite film? Why?
 
LEON: The Professional.Because it is full of heart and pain.  
And Natalie Portman is so cute.
 

If you could meet one person in the whole world, who would it be?
 
Leonardo da Vinci. I want to see inside the head of a genius.
 

Can you tell me about the film industry in Japan? Is it hard for new directors to find work?
 
In the image industry, it is getting more possible to make high quality movies with low cost. So for young directors, there are many chances to try something new.
 


www.group.tyo.jp