What Led Him to Enter the Entertainment Industry… Hidehiko Ishizuka of “Honjama-ka” on the “Foreign Film That Touched His Heart”

I Learned Something Important from a Movie

Hello, everyone. I’m Hidehiko Ishizuka—the guy who, when following a heavyset person in an unfamiliar city, ends up at a yakiniku restaurant 90% of the time.

Now, I’d like to introduce a few Western movies that really moved me. When I was a kid, I used to watch shows like “○○ Western Movie Theater” and “○○ Roadshow” on TV almost every day.

Later, I was able to buy my favorite films on VHS and DVD, and now I can watch movies online anytime. Movies have influenced me in many ways—by letting me experience things I want to do but can’t, showing me worlds I’ve never seen, and teaching me ways of thinking I didn’t have.

The first one I’d like to mention is *Rocky*, which I saw in a movie theater when I was in high school. It’s a film about a boxer, played by Sylvester Stallone (79), who fights to turn his life around for the sake of his beloved girlfriend.Aside from the story itself, what left a strong impression on me was how the entire audience remained seated until the end credits finished, and the moment the lights came on, the theater erupted in applause. This film was the catalyst that inspired me to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

The second film is *Champion from Heaven*. Since this was released back when movie theaters didn’t have reserved seating yet, I stayed behind in the theater and watched it three times in a row. It’s the story of an American football player, played by Warren Beatty (89), who dies in an accident but goes on to live out the rest of his life in the body of a young businessman.He falls in love with a woman, and their romance blossoms, but right in the midst of it, the time he has in that body runs out. When the woman is devastated by this sudden parting, who appears before her…? You’ll have to watch the movie to find out what happens next. I think you’ll understand why I watched it three times in a row.

“Forrest Gump,” starring Tom Hanks (69), is also a must-see. It depicts the life of a man who lives with more sincerity than anyone else, undeterred by his disabilities. It teaches us the beauty of loving one’s mother, one’s lover, and one’s friends. It’s the perfect film to watch when you need to realign your mindset.

*The Green Mile*, also starring Tom Hanks, is another masterpiece. It depicts the interactions between a prisoner with special abilities and the guards inside the death row wing of an American prison. Michael Clarke Duncan (who passed away at age 54), who plays the prisoner with special abilities, is particularly outstanding.When I saw the scene where he was wearing overalls with his massive frame, I couldn’t help but see myself in him. At first glance, he appears to be a villain, but in reality, he has the ability to heal people’s illnesses and even bring them back to life—he is, in fact, a better person than anyone else. This film taught me that I shouldn’t judge people based on hearsay or appearances.

Last but not least is *Monsters, Inc.*. Released 25 years ago, this animated film is a collaboration between Disney and Pixar. The story takes place at “Monsters, Inc.,” a company that converts children’s “screams” into energy.The main character, Sulley, and his friends spend their days scaring children, but their world begins to change after they meet a little girl named “Boo.” By the way, I’m the one who provided the Japanese voice-over for Sulley. I remember taking my eldest son to the theater when the movie came out, only for him to say, “I want to watch the subtitled version”—and I remember giving him a gentle tap on the head.

I hope you’ll all go see this movie. It might just make your life a little better.

From the June 26 & July 3, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*