I went to meet Seijun Suzuki at a London hotel which had been organised by Chris Barwick of Yume Pictures.

For someone in his early eighties Suzuki was very sprightly for his age despite the fact he had a breathing aid in the form of an oxygen tube connected to a mobile tank which he carried around on a mini trolley.

He walked around the hotel foyer very quickly and I couldn’t help but be impressed by his indomitable spirit and infectious smile.

He clearly has a joy for life and wasn’t going to allow any mere trifle such as age get in his way. Seijun Suzuki is a world renowned film director who has inspired countless directors over his long career.

A host of media players had gathered to meet this living legend and, understandably, towards the end of the afternoon he was a little tired.

On finally meeting him I was struck by his humility and graciousness.

He had come to London with his partner,Takako Sueyoshi, his interpreter Mika Ko and producer friend, Kazuhiro Kimura.

He was in London to promote his new film Princess Raccoon (Operetta tanuki goten) starring Zhang Ziyi.

I briefly spoke to him to get a few words from the genius.

SS: After World War 2 there was a job shortage.

I had no intention to get into film making but it just happened.

There was nothing else to do

RA: What do you enjoy most about making movies?

SS: The time before shooting the film is the most enjoyable.

In particular [I mostly enjoy] the process of choosing the actors.

SS: It was really good.

RA: What was your favourite experience during making this movie?

SS: The most enjoyable moment was when the actors were singing.

I cannot decide if there was one favourite piece of the film, the film is the piece.

I didn’t have one favourite experience.

There were so many.

SS: It’s democratic.

END OF INTERVIEW.

And there it was. Brief and poignant.

He posed for some photos with his entourage and then said his farewells.

It was a real pleasure to meet him.

Princess Raccoon is a movie that is well worth seeing.

This was due to his films’ perceived complicated storylines. Storylines which ironically today are commonplace in films worldwide.

Suzuki’s classic films have been undergoing a revival of late with leading film distributor Yume Pictures releasing a ‘Suzuki Collection’.

This is a compilation of his greatest films including Pistol Opera (2002), The Fighting Elegy (1966), The Flowers and the Angry Waves and the Fighting Delinquents.

For more information please see Yume’s website at www.yumepictures.co.uk