Pen-ek Ratanaruang Talks Casting, ‘Last Life In The Universe’ and Miike Takashi’s ‘Punch Perm’

Acclaimed Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang is back at the Tokyo International Film Festival presenting his latest film “Morte Cucina.” But it was his storied collaboration with Japanese actors that took centerstage at a masterclass with “Lost Land” director Fujimoto Akio.

The counterpoint focus of their work, Ratanaruang’s frequent use of Japanese talent and Fujimoto’s focus on Southeast Asian subjects was a central theme of the discussion.

Ratanaruang reminisced about working with legendary Japanese filmmaker Miike Takashi on his 2003 film “Last Life in the Universe,” the latter making a cameo as a yakuza boss. Miike took the reins for his own character’s look and support cast.

“He said he knew who to cast as his henchmen. One was his screenwriter, and the other was an actor that he used all the time. He said he’s going to design all the costumes for all three of them, because…