Le réalisateur Hideo Nakata
“Chatroom”, the perils of cyber-adolescence
The Japanese director who came to public notice in the late 90’s with the Ring cycle of horror films, presents his first feature film at Cannes today (Salle Debussy, 14.30 and 22.30). Selected in Un Certain Regard, Chatroom treats the deviance generated in teenagers by the Internet.
Lauded by the critics as one of the most brilliant representatives of contemporary Japanese cinema, Hideo Nakata has adapted his first theatre play to the big screen with Chatroom. Interpreted by Aaron Johnson (Nowhere Boy), Imogen Poots (28 later), and Matthew Beard (And When Did You Last See Your Father?), Chatroom draws its essence from the work of the Irish dramatist Enda Walsh. The writer was made famous by Disco Pigs, adapted for cinema by Kirsten Sheridan in 2001, and Hunger, adapted by Steve McQueen in 2008 (Prix de la Caméra d’Or).
After the success of the Ring cycle (1998 and 1999), which was also filmed for a Hollywood version (Le Cercle, 2005), and Dark Water (2002), which won a prize at the 10th Festival de Gérardmer, Hideo Nakata continues his exploration of the horror genre with the story of five teenagers lead by the perils of the Internet to destructive rebellion. “With its virtual communication, the Internet amplifies negative emotions in a spectacular way: anxiety, fear, desire, hate and anger,” says the director. “Some people are even led to commit suicide or kill innocent people.”
B.P.
