Tomoko Yamaguchi Embraces Her Age at Film Talk Show

“I can’t see very well because of my presbyopia.”

On a late September evening around 7 PM, Tomoko Yamaguchi (59) was seen being photographed by several men in front of the long-established mini-theater, Euro Space, located in Shibuya, Tokyo.

That day, the theater hosted the “Georgia Film Festival 2024,” where Yamaguchi’s documentary film, “LISTEN. Georgia Edition: ‘UNITY,'” was screened. This film is a short work that covers the Georgian-style feast known as supra and the polyphonic music characteristic of the region. After the screening, a talk event with Yamaguchi took place.

“The series ‘LISTEN.’ that Yamaguchi produced consists of 31 works. Starting in 2010, she spent ten years traveling through 26 countries, recording 250 songs and over 50 hours of audio, making this a monumental project that is akin to her life’s work. This time, in the Georgia edition, Yamaguchi wrote on the film festival’s flier: ‘The emotions encountered in Georgia connect our hearts as we raise our glasses and sing together. A feast of hospitality that has continued since ancient times. Let us share this invaluable moment by raising our cups'” (Film magazine editor).

After the talk event, Yamaguchi appeared in the theater lobby sporting a short blonde hairstyle and a loose blouse. As she sat in a chair, fans who had been waiting outside for autographs and photos rushed into the building. When fans holding colored paper and pamphlets asked for autographs, she cheerfully responded while putting on her glasses:

“I can’t see very well because of my age and presbyopia. Sorry about that!”

She carefully signed autographs for each fan. Even when leaving the theater, she greeted fans asking for photos with “Okay, okay,” and waved goodbye. One fan mentioned:

“Yamaguchi always responds when you call out to her after the show, so fans who know this gather like this.”

Despite being a top actress, Yamaguchi’s unpretentious and natural demeanor is always impressive.

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