Original subtitles

Look over here please.

A surprise nudity start! This is Kyoko's undercover report.

Undercover Reporter Kyoko Sawaki

Tonight we are going to show you the photoshoot of the popular video girl, Yuka Sawada!

Let's start with interviewing a very happy photographer

who is gazing longingly at Yuka's naked body through his viewfinder.

Excuse me.

"Truth is the bad case of film images" - Christian Sedelman

"Norihei" Izakaya in Akasaka

A friendly atmosphere, an affordable price, and delicious dishes.

Also... delicious sake. It's the best.

Next store is a tour of cake shops in the Shirokane area.

Tonight we are visiting Norihei on Akasaka Misuzu Street.

- I'm sorry to interrupt. - Yes?

How is the injury?

I've already had the stitches out and will be discharged in a week.

I see.

I'm not sure if it's ok for me to ask,

but may I ask you questions about the accident?

As I told you the other day, I am not yet in a position to answer that...

The only question I want to ask is

whether that catastrophe was a spiritual phenomenon or not.

I'm still trying to sort out my mind,

so I will tell you when the time is right.

I fully understand, but could you just answer me on that point?

This video is a reconstruction based on a tape of an interview for a TV documentary.

In 5,4,3...

Idol as an industry. And giving birth to that...

- Oh, sorry. - Okay, okay.

Let's keep going. Are we still recording?

Yes.

Idol as an industry. In the structure that gives birth to it, it adds value to the idol itself...

Oh, sorry again.

Cut. Ok let's continue.

No, stop, stop. What's going on?

Initially, this was a project to follow an idol campaign project.

However, the program was never broadcasted.

Mr. Kawanishi, sorry to bother you.

I heard that you have put together a project for media strategy with idols.

Yuji Kawanishi - Record Production Company Manager at a record production company,

transferred from an affiliated printing company 9 years ago.

He specialized in idols. He is the chairman of this project.

That's right. It's not that this project is something special or new.

It's part of a routine when we market idol girls.

This is a product campaign and promotion at the same time, so we have high expectations for it.

What exactly needs to be done to make this project successful?

That's something you'll see when you cover us.

I have a meeting now, bye.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Now that everyone is here, I would like to start the meeting.

Based on our meeting the other day,

we would like to work out a more concrete concept for the campaign project for Emi Kato's HP.

I would like to get to that point by the end of today.

Since this is a bit sudden, I'll have Mr. Maehara start.

Got it. Thank you very much for gathering here today.

Anyway, I apologize for the inconvenience to all parties due to the lack of time.

But we have reached a consensus with the client that the music will be left to Mr. Kawanishi.

This is a good opportunity for Emi,

A meeting is being held with the advertising agency's sales staff, tv personalities, the CEO,

but we would also like to promote Emi's character, which as an office we haven't been able to do.

stylists, hair and makeup artists, and other execution staff.

The project was part of an advertising development for a major food manufacturer.

We would like to make the costumes more creative rather than just the cute image we have had so far.

If we are going to be creative with the costumes,

I would also like to give Emi a big makeover without destroying her cuteness.

That's up to you two, I'll leave it to you guys.

I want to get back to the basics and scale her up as an idol.

You are somebody who still has a lot of potential, and there is more room to brush up on your basics.

Yes.

- That's what I'm thinking. - Let's listen to it a bit.

The name of the song is called "Love Craft."

Awashima Kaoru (Lyricist) After working as a copywriter, she switched to writing lyrics.

It's like this.

Her sensitive and feminine sensibility has been well received.

The concept with the maker hasn't changed, but I think this piece is a bit too mature.

Her hits include "Glass Solitude" and "Good-bye to Innsmouth"

The melody is very motivating and interesting.

But it's very different from the songs I've written in the past.

It will be challenging and I like that, but I can't say I'm really confident.

I'm thinking of using a Minneapolis style for the final arrangement.

- What? - Minneapolis.

Minneapolis? You sounding like the big guy.

Excuse me, sensei. May I ask you some questions?

Is there more?

Can I start?

I understand that you are in charge of Emi's lyrics this time,

but do you have any thoughts on its relation to the campaign?

First of all, this time it is for a product called HP,

and I need to understand the nature of the product,

and the agency will give me several suggestions...

To put it plainly, it is my job to develop Emi's character.

You have to create lyrics on top of a music that's already made.

How do you feel about that?

I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

It happens quite a lot.

Do you have to have a meeting with the person who composed the music?

It would be better to do so, but in this case, we don't have that much time and

Mr. Kawanishi didn't mention who actually is the composer.

Umm, this is my second year since my debut, and this is my fourth single.

Whenever I release a new song, I go to record stores and say hello to them

It is said that as many as 500 or 1,000 new singers debut each year.

In order to survive among them,

a modest promotional activity such as record touring is indispensable.

and ask them to put my record in a prominent place, and also to put up posters where it's most seen.

When I'm there, they would play my songs,

but as soon as I leave, they would play someone else's song.

This is the reality and it's tough.

Don't breathe in. You have to let it out.

Voice Trainer Shuichi Honda

It's dead, it's dead. Stronger.

Okay, let's go down.

Don't say, "nma". Say, "ma,ma, ma."

Here we go.

Good.

Good.

Stronger!

Good.

Emi is taking voice training now.

The new song requires a different singing style, so she is training from the basics.

Let's talk to Mr. Honda, the voice training instructor.

Excuse me, Mr. Honda.

It's been a year since Emi's debut, but are most students who come here newcomers?

Well, it's not like that.

Singers need to continue voice training and vocal exercises even after their debut

to become a long-lasting singer.

So, she is working very hard to become like that.

For example, I don't like to say this, but there are rock singers who sing in their own style.

Though after singing three or four songs in a row, their throats crack or they lose their voices.

In order to prevent this from happening, she is working hard on her voice training

to add tension, width, and depth to her voice.

That's what I mean.

Good luck. Thank you very much.

Inhale more.

Inhale at one, stop at two, "Ah-"

Stronger.

This is where Mr. Aida, the arranger of Emi's new song, works.

We would like to ask Mr. Aida a few questions.

Excuse me for interrupting your work.

What are you doing right now?

Hisashi Aida (Arranger) During his time in Seijo University's light music club, he own a contest

I'm making karaoke for Kato Emi's song.

- Karaoke? - Yes.

After playing in a band, he established himself as an arranger

- But there is no one from the band. - Yes.

He has arranged many rock songs such as "Sekiriya" and "Hormone", but he also arranges idol songs.

The computer plays everything.

The computer memorizes the sounds made by the synthesizer,

and combines and arranges them.

So that's how songs are created.

This song has a rather strange melody, doesn't it?

Yes.

I'm going to take advantage of that and make it into a modern rhythm

in line with Emi Kato's character.

Do you know who composed this song?

I haven't heard, but it seems to have been in Mr. Kawanishi's stock for a long time.

It seems like it was written a long time ago.

- Do you want to listen to what I have arranged? - Oh, please.

The jacket photo was taken at a photo studio in Roppongi.

Good, one more time! Okay. Ready, yes.

Ready, yes! One more time.

Okay.

OK, let's go to the next shot!

Let's change the music, shall we?

- Do you have Emi's new song? - Yes I do.

- How many? - 8.

- Can you fix her collar? - Yes, should I put it up?

Yes.

Okay? Here we go.

Hey, that's weird. It's like there's some kind of wind.

There's no way there's wind. We're in a studio.

Hey, Kyoko? Hey! What are you doing? Hey!

What the hell!

Watch out!

The shooting on this day had to be reshot at a later date with the reason of photographer error.

Regarding Emi Kato's jacket photoshoot,

what did you mean when you said that the first one you did was all not good?

Wait one second.

This is it.

Ok.

You see the white shadow on the left behind Emi?

Photo Assistant Nobuko Nakai (pseudonym)

Yes.

This was taken in a polaroid, but it was in every photo.

I think the photographer was in a hurry.

He also trashed all the negatives.

If you look closely, you can see that

the mother holding the baby in the background has a sad expression on her face.

Film and music personality KURO

A ghost photo can be like a tree trunk that looks like a person screaming,

or a pattern on the ceiling or stains that looks like something.

It depends on how the person perceives it at the time.

But this is for sure a baby. The mother is holding it like this.

There seem to be a lot of scary and inexplicable stories like this in the world.

It was a very scary moment and I had goosebumps while having such a scary experience.

Whether you believe this or not is up to you.

It's just the two of us

A meeting just for the night

An extinguished candle

A shadow floats by

Your silhouette

I touch it gently

Just by holding you in my arms

My heart melts

Making Love Craft

Catch me in your arms

Your kindness

Ok. Let's stop there for a moment.

- Emi, let's do that one more time. - Okay.

Good good. It's starting to sound very good. Emi.

What do you think? It has some pretty good vibes right?

And the video in the same version?

We don't have the budget. Don't blame me.

Hey, Mr. Kawanishi. Are you sure this is what you want?

It's fine. You care too much.

I think this style suits her the most.

And we'll record one other one, right?

Hmmm, well, if we have the time.

Please?

There's no way we have time.

Hey! Hey!

- What are you doing!? - Hey, look! Behind Emi!

What? What?

Come here! Come on!.

No!

What the hell are you doing?

What's going on?

- Thanks for your time. - Not at all.

How do you feel after singing?

Umm, it's ok.

I think it's a very interesting song, but is it easy to sing?

I really like this song.

The lyricist is a woman, and the lyrics are written very well about how a girl feels.

It's very cute.

Ok.

Now we are in the process of what's called "mixing down"

the songs that have been recorded.

This is the process of putting together the song and the music that were recorded separately.

Stop for a second. There.

What's that strange sound in the chorus?

Let me rewind it a bit.

Was there something wrong?

Will start playing.

- Give me a break. - Did Emi make a mistake?

I hope I don't have to redo the karaoke...

- It doesn't seem to be in the karaoke. - Really?

If it's not the song or the karaoke, where the hell is it?

Mr. Kawanishi, I think it is...

It's okay, it's okay. Don't worry.

Hey! How long are you guys filming?

- What's going on? - None of your business!

Stop it!

- I'll continue with the interview. - Ok, no problem.

Telephone Interview with Mr. Kawanishi

Oh, and I would also like to ask you about the composer.

Could you introduce this person to us?

Oh, no. I haven't been able to get in touch with the composer yet.

June 7, 1988 4:00 p.m.

What?

You know, a few years ago, our label had an open call for songs in a certain magazine,

and this is what came in at that time.

It didn't get selected, but I think it was an honorable mention.

I liked it, and I was in a hurry at that time, so I decided to use it.

The composer of "Love Craft" was unknown. The interview staff put their suspicions to Mr. Kawanishi.

I'll introduce the composer to you again when I get in touch.

Ok.

I'll be waiting for the update.

This is the magazine that published the announcement of the contest

in which the original song of "Love Craft" was submitted.

However, we could not find the corresponding song anywhere in this magazine.

There seems to be a lot of strange things about this campaign project.

Therefore, we, the interview staff, would like to deviate from the original theme

and dig into the entertainment industry and the idol from a slightly different perspective.

Ok, got it. Bye.

Okay, here we go.

Good morning, Mr. Kawanishi.

We just confirmed the location for the promotion.

Would you say the video, or perhaps visual strategy is important?

Right. I don't want to just use them as promotional materials.

I guess you could call it more of an artist's mindset.

But this time, the CF is set up completely differently, so that's a bit of a problem.

Is that an idea that came from Awashima-san's lyrics?

Yes, that's right. For this case, the music came first,

and as you know, I didn't have time.

So, here is the issue that you mentioned the other day,

but I couldn't find the corresponding song anywhere?

That's odd.

I'm pretty sure that song was submitted to this one.

Is that right?

Mr. Kawanishi did not provide a clear answer.

The idol industry itself, in that sense, if you mass produce more and more idols,

TV Personality Terumi Yoshida

and if you get to the point that you can make a lot of money,

I think we are going to approach a rather difficult point.

In the studio of Asahi Broadcasting Corporation "Zipangu Communication"

In fact, I may be going off on a tangent here, but in the past,

there have been some award-winning songs that were written by singer/songwriters,

but in fact they were ghost-written.

There are also stories of people who have taken a famous song and plagiarized it.

And people won't even realize it.

I think that there are many mysterious things in the idol industry,

that even people like me who are in the industry are surprised by.

Mr. Yamagishi, I'm sorry.

I would like to ask you about the composer of Emi's new song.

The interview staff frequently asked Director Yamagishi,

Mr Kawanishi's subordinate, for an interview,

I told you I know nothing about it.

I would like to ask you something about what you know.

Mr. Yamagishi, I'm sorry. Just one word!

but he expressed strong refusal to answer questions about the composer.

Mr. Yamagishi!

Excuse me. Please! Just one word!

Yes, this is Yamagishi.

This is Sawaki. Thank you for your time.

Phone interview with Mr. Yamagishi

No problem.

Um, I'd like to talk about the composer of Emi's new song.

Umm.

June 15, 1988 at 10:00 p.m.

Mr. Yamagishi, you know something, don't you?

If you know something, could you tell us about it?

I will never cause you any trouble.

Mr. Yamagishi?

After several rounds of negotiations,

Director Yamagishi seemed determined to tell the interview staff something.

Ok.

I will be going to the Oizumi Studio at 6:00 p.m.tomorrow,

so I will see you in the parking lot there.

There he is.

- Watch at this. - What is this?

- Once you see it, you'll understand. - What is it though?

Anyway, I'll get back to you later.

Thanks, bye.

What is going on?

He tells me to just take a look at this. He doesn't say anything else. Even if I ask.

Camera, camera!

What's going on...

Call somebody.

Director Yamagishi's death was treated as an accident caused by a car defect.

The interview staff was handed a VHS videotape by Director Yamagishi.

To this day, it is unclear what exactly is meant

by this videotape that Director Yamagishi gave to the interview staff.

However, it is certain that the faintly audible male voice is that of Mr. Kawanishi.

Come on, don't be shy, look at me.

Several interviews were conducted with Director Kawanishi.

The tapes of these interviews had a strange similarity.

- See, there's a woman in the picture, right? - Yeah.

And next.

See this one here?

It's a bit blurry.

And there's more.

See here.

You can clearly see her on this one?

It can't be a coincidence.

It's a little strange.

Maybe this woman is the one in Yamagishi's tape.

Man...

I hope she's not the composer.

The interview staff was finally able to locate the composer of "Love Craft."

But she had committed suicide seven years ago.

Ogikubo, Tokyo

The composer of the original song committed suicide by jumping from this location several years ago.

Why did producer Kawanishi decide to use her song now?

The interview staff obtained a demo tape of what was believed to be the original "Love Craft" song.

Hello. My name is Emi Kato.

I'm about to go shoot my promotional video now,

but this time I'm going to change my image.

I'm going to shed the cute idol image that I used to have,

and from now on I'd like to become a more mature and cool idol.

I'm working hard in making this video.

Umm...

I hope you enjoy my fourth song "Love Craft."

Sorry, we're a little behind schedule so please hurry up.

Where should I go?

The makeup artist is in the back on the right side.

Hey, hey, what's going on?

- I felt a bit cold. - Do you have a fever?

I'm fine.

Are you sure? Hang in there.

Thanks.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Thank you for waiting.

Good morning.

Shall we get started then?

Okay, let's go.

We're about to start!

Are you all right? You're all right.

Smile.

Okay, okay, let's go!

In 5,4,3...

Behind me right now is a rehearsal for Emi Kato's promotional video.

The video that will be shot today is scheduled for sale

and will be one of the leading video strategies for this campaign project.

It's just the two of us

A meeting just for the night

An extinguished candle

A shadow floats by

Your silhouette

I touch it gently

Just by holding you in my arms

My heart melts

Making Love Craft

Catch me in your arms

Your kindness

Making Love Craft

I can feel

Your warmth

I can feel the wind.

Kyoko? Kyoko? Kyoko?

Kyoko? What's going on?

Hey, camera!

Kyoko! Wait!

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

What the hell is that?

Lights.

What's going on?

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

Kyoko!

What's going on? Kyoko!

Emi-chan...

What's wrong with Emi-chan?

Emi-chan, Emi-chan is in danger! Hurry up and tell her!

Emi-chan, Emi-chan is in trouble!

Hurry! Go!

What happened to Emi!!?

Call the ambulance!

What are you doing!

Stop! Watch out!

Emi-chan!

Mr. Kawanishi!

Mr. Kawanishi!

Kyoko!

Kyoko! Get yourself together!

Caster Kyoko Sawaki had to be hospitalized for a month after this.

It was not until later in the editing process that they realized

that there were strange footage left on an extra videotape they had.

This Betacam tape, which had no roll number, had no evidence of having been put into a camera.

However, when played back...

For the first six minutes, this voice was recorded along with the noise.

And for the next 14 minutes, intermittent but inexplicable footage were recorded.

The following footage was re-edited by adding this strange footage

to the video taken by the interview start.

What are you doing!

Stop! Watch out!

Help me...

Haven't you had enough?

You have no right to do things like this!

Why didn't you tell Mr. Kawanishi that you were pregnant?

Are you satisfied after all this? After all this!?

It's so sad that it turned out like this.

That song for sure belongs to you.

But I know it!

The child you had in your belly is not Mr. Kawanishi's.

Go home! Go home!

Whose perspective is this?

Kyoko! Kyoko!

Jaganrei

Note: There are more scenes after the credits

My name is Haruro Mizuno.

I work in the film industry in various fields,

Film Critic Haruro Mizuno

and in the film industry, too, I have heard of many such psychic phenomena.

This does not mean that I have directly experienced them myself.

For example, there is a movie called Poltergeist.

There is currently a third series being created,

but after each film, the people involved in the film dies.

It is said that people involved in the movie dies for unknown reasons.

This is my own experience, but it must have been more than 10 years ago.

I often go to Hollywood.

We booked a hotel in the area where many Hollywood studios are concentrated.

Los Angeles is a very large city and you need a car to get to anywhere.

So we booked a small hotel on the far side of Hollywood Avenue,

where I could go to the studio on foot.

I took a good night's rest there. It was midnight and I heard a rumbling noise.

I opened the curtains to see if there was a car passing by,

but the area around the hotel was not a street for cars.

It was a very quiet place with no trace of cars.

I wondered if there had been an earthquake, so I turned on the TV.

I found that there were no such reports.

It was strange and creepy, but I went back to sleep.

The next day, I went out to the studio.

People there showed me around the studio.

Then we came to a stage in a corner where nothing was being filmed.

I asked about it and they said they don't shoot movies there.

I asked why and they replied,

"Whenever we shoot a movie here, some kind of accident always happens.

That's why we don't use it much."

I asked around and found out that there is a

big cemetery called Hollywood Cemetery in the back of the studio.

It is the resting place of famous movie stars and other famous people in the movie industry.

Accidents happen on the stage adjacent to the cemetery.

So I had the impression that the Hollywood Cemetery used to be much larger

and the stage was built on top of it.

Such things like this happen even in Hollywood.

So, when I look back on what I experienced that night,

I was horrified and wondered if it was a poltergeist phenomenon.

I myself am very sensitive to spirits, and I believe in spirits,

but I have never been attacked by a spirit anything like that.

But that was the first time I had such an experience.

I was totally surprised.

I had the feeling that it must have been a very strong spirit.

I was surprised to learn that there were many things in the film industry,

which is at the cutting edge of science, that we could not really understand.

That is how I feel.

Ready, action!

Hello.