Every Rom Com 13: Lost in Translation

This week on Every Rom Com we’re headed to Japan to delve into Sofia Coppola’s second feature film, “Lost in Translation.” We’ll discuss iconic images and scenes from the film, let you know how to find the movie’s filming locations, workshop our sequel idea “Found in Translation”, and discuss themes of culture shock, alienation, unrequited love, and more! We’re joined this week by Jen’s sister-in-law, Luna Howell, a multi-talented artist with degrees in Japanese and Asian Studies, who has spent time living and working in Japan.

0:00-7:21

Introduction, Meet our guest host, Luna Howell!:

Luna Howell currently lives in the Portuguese countryside. She is an artist, writer & spiritual practitioner. She has a B.A. in Japanese, and an M.A. in Asian Studies. She studied in Osaka, Japan in 2011-2012, and she lived and worked in Minamata, Japan from 2017-2019 as an assistant language teacher with the JET program

You can find out more about Luna’s work at www.lunahowell.com and follow her on instagram @lunatheahowell!

7:21-15:42 Trailer, Basic Info, General Opinion of the Film

15:42-31:20 Cast & Crew In-Depth

Sofia Coppola Interview: https://www.indiewire.com/2009/12/decade-sofia-coppola-on-lost-in-translation-55612/

31:20-38:51 Inspirations for the Film, Aesthetic of the Film, Soundtrack, Tokyo Basic Info

Sofia Coppola Interview: https://www.thedailybeast.com/sofia-coppola-discusses-lost-in-translation-on-its-10th-anniversary

38:51-46:08 Iconic Shots/Scenes in the Film & Filming Locations

Opening Shot: Charlotte in Pink Underwear, Artist whose work inspired opening shot: https://www.meiselgallery.com/exhibition/john-kacere/

Entering Tokyo By Cab Scene

46:08-58:39 Iconic Shots/Scenes in the Film & Filming Locations

Culture of Western Celebrities Filming Ads in Japan, Some Example Ads:

Sean Connery’s Suntory Crest Whisky commercials in the early nineties https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDG2V4veQLU

Tommy Lee Jones as the face of Boss Coffee--seen everywhere, even to this day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lv2l1JKuxxY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE21qQHlOLQ

Scarlett Johansson’s LUX shampoo commercials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzzeA4WxFb4

Francis Ford Coppola & Akira Kurosawa Suntory Ad

https://www.openculture.com/2016/09/akira-kurosawa-francis-ford-coppola-shoot-5-japanese-whiskey-ads-in-1979.html

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/69324/15-found-facts-about-lost-translation

Filming the Commercial Scene, Actual Translation of Japanese Director’s Direction:

https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/21/style/what-else-was-lost-in-translation.html

Photo Shoot Scene

Other Scenes Portraying Difficulty Communicating

58:39-1:07:44 Iconic Shots/Scenes in the Film & Filming Locations

Charlotte & Bob Meet

1:07:44-1:16:06

Karaoke Night

Where to find the Karaoke Room from the Movie: Udagawacho area of Shibuya. Inokashira Dori, branch of Karaoke Kan (30-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku) Rooms 601 and 602 located in an annex to the main building, on the corner above Jeans Mate. 601 is the room with the window view. Very popular rooms, book in advance!

Article featuring the Karaoke room directions & info on many other filming locations: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/guide-best-lost-translation-spots-tokyo/

1:16:06 SPOILERS OKAY SECTION BEGINS!

1:16:06-1:28:28 Iconic Shots/Scenes & Filming Locations

Strip Club

Bed Scene

1:28:28-1:34:26 Iconic Shots/Scenes & Filming Locations

Trip to Kyoto: Nanzenji Temple, Heian Jingu Shrine, Chion-in

Final Scenes Including “The Whisper”

Roger Ebert on “The Whisper”:

“So much has been written about those few words at the end that Bob whispers into Charlottes' ear. We can't hear them. They seem meaningful for both of them. Coppola said she didn't know. It wasn't scripted. Advanced sound engineering has been used to produce a fuzzy enhancement. Harry Caul of "The Conversation" would be proud of it, but it's entirely irrelevant. Those words weren't for our ears. Coppola (1) didn't write the dialog, (2) didn't intentionally record the dialogue, and (3) was happy to release the movie that way, so we cannot hear. Why must we know? Do we need closure? This isn't a closure kind of movie. We get all we need in simply knowing they share a moment private to them, and seeing that it contains something true before they part forever.” https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-lost-in-translation-2003

Sofia Coppola on “The Whisper”

“Luckily I did it without a studio so we were able to just make it how I wanted,” Coppla said of the ending. “That thing Bill whispers to Scarlett was never intended to be anything. I was going to figure out later what to say and add it in and then we never did. It was between them. Just acknowledging that week meant something to both of them and it affects them going back to their lives. People always ask me what’s said. I always like Bill’s answer: that it’s between lovers – so I’ll leave it at that.” https://www.indiewire.com/2018/08/lost-in-translation-15th-anniversary-sofia-coppola-interview-ending-whisper-meaning-1201998010/am

1:34:26-1:45:34

Themes: Unrequited Love

Bob & Lydia and Charlotte & John - the state of their relationships

What would happen if Bob & Charlotte Met in the Future? Feat. our sequel idea “Found in Translation”

1:45:34-1:52:23 Themes: Expat Culture, Culture Shock and Alienation

1:52:23-2:01:16 Criticisms of the Film

Criticisms Discussed in the Show: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/27/oscars2004.usa

http://www.mtv.com/news/3021638/lost-in-translation-is-an-insufferable-racist-mess-why-would-we-expect-the-beguiled-to-be-any-different/

Additional Critical Perspectives:

https://www.slashfilm.com/lost-in-translation-legacy/

https://www.international.ucla.edu/ccs/article/11981

2:01:16-2:07:27 Luna’s Travel Recommendations in Japan