[Elections and Depression] July 10th (Thu) Post-screening Talk at Eurospace [Keisuke Oka]
On July 10, 2025, on a day of torrential rain, architect Keisuke Oka joined us for a post-screening talk at Eurospace in Shibuya for 'Elections and Depression'!
Mr. Oka is an architect who has been working on his self-built structure, 'Arimasuton Building,' for over 20 years. I have been filming a documentary about the Arimasuton Building for several years, and through that connection, I was able to have him join us on stage!
On that day of heavy rain, we held the post-screening talk together with everyone who gathered at the venue. Mr. Oka shared not only his thoughts on the film but also various stories, ranging from his childhood memories of elections to personal episodes involving Hakase and Takeshi-san.
Elections and Memories of 'Heat'
Mr. Oka says he watched his father's election campaigns up close since he was a child. He mentioned that while his father was usually a man of few words, he would become incredibly eloquent during elections, as if he were a different person, and would lead the campaign!
He recalled the same kind of fervor seen in this film, noting that even as a child, he could feel the 'heat' of the adults. The intensity of an election—where volunteers work tirelessly without pay for the sake of a single candidate and for the sake of society—is a reality that I believe comes across through Mr. Oka's stories and the film itself.
'I thought Hakase was stoic'
In fact, Mr. Oka had met Suidobashi Hakase before, around 2019. When he visited the 'Arimasuton Building' for a TV program featuring Beat Takeshi, Suidobashi Hakase and Tamabukuro Sujitaro also came to the site together.
Mr. Oka mentioned that he was a little hurt by a casual remark Hakase made at that time, but when they reunited at the Arimasuton Building in 2024, Hakase remembered the incident and immediately apologized, saying, 'I was in a state of depression at the time and said something rude. I am truly sorry.'
'To remember a casual remark from six years ago and apologize properly—I thought he was a respectable person,' said Mr. Oka. He told us it was a moment where he reaffirmed Hakase's seriousness and sincerity.
He also mentioned seeing Hakase at the gym, saying, 'He was running intently in a sauna suit with his head down. I thought he was a very stoic person.'
Hakase is on the right, Mr. Oka is next to him, and I am the one filming.
The Aftertaste of the Final Scene
What Mr. Oka said left the biggest impression on him was the final scene, where Hakase mutters, 'I wonder if it's over...'
'I was a bit confused at first (during the press screening), but seeing it again today, that final scene really touched me,' said Mr. Oka.
He shared that the words and Hakase's expression, which overlapped at the perfect moment, seemed to symbolize 'life that continues on'!
Beyond Architecture and Elections
I have learned so much from both Mr. Oka and Suidobashi Hakase. What they have in common is an attitude of 'taking everything seriously and working on it continuously.'
Hakase is someone who does everything with all his heart. He is a person who keeps writing his diary. He is serious about things that might seem trivial to others, does thorough research, continues his work, and responds to society.
Keisuke Oka is also someone who has spent over 20 years persistently building his own architecture. Believing in steady progress, he continues to engage with society through his architecture while enjoying the process.
The figures of these two people living in the same generation.
When people want to convey or leave something behind, they can become so foolishly earnest...
It was a night where such thoughts naturally arose from the sight of the Doctor and the stories told by Oka-san. Thank you, Oka-san!
To everyone who came, thank you so much for coming out in the rain!
Tomorrow and the day after, we are on a Kansai tour!
Together with Hakase Suidobashi, Matazo Mimata, and Senmonka Harada, we will be visiting three theaters in the Kansai region!
Kyoto, Kyoto Cinema: After the 10:45 screening on Saturday, July 12
Osaka, Seventh Art Theater: After the screenings on Saturday, July 12 at 14:55 and Sunday, July 13 at 15:35
Hyogo, Motomachi Movie Theater: After the 12:20 screening on Sunday, July 13
There are still plenty of events to come! "Election and Depression" is now showing to great acclaim nationwide!
🎬 Shibuya, Eurospace (Now showing)
▶︎ https://www.eurospace.co.jp/
Lots of talk events!
🎬 Nagoya, Nagoya Kinema Noi (Now showing)
▶︎ https://kinemanoie.com/
7/6 (Sun) Stage greeting by Hakase Suidobashi × Aoyagi (*Sold out, limited same-day tickets available)
🎬 Kyoto, Kyoto Cinema from 7/4 (Fri) (Now showing)
▶︎https://www.kyotocinema.jp/
7/12 (Sat) Stage greeting by Hakase Suidobashi × Matazo Mimata × Senmonka Harada × Aoyagi!
🎬 Tochigi, Koyama Cinema Roble from 7/4 (Fri) (Now showing)
▶︎https://www.ginsee.jp/roble/
🎬 Osaka, Seventh Art Theater from 7/5 (Sat) (Now showing)
▶︎https://www.nanagei.com/
On 7/12 (Sat) and 13 (Sun), stage greeting by Hakase Suidobashi × Matazo Mimata × Senmonka Harada!
🎬 Saitama Prefecture, Fukaya Cinema 7/6 (Sun) – 19 (Sat) (Now showing)
▶︎http://fukayacinema.jp/
🎬 Hyogo Prefecture, Motomachi Movie Theater from 7/12 (Sat)
▶︎https://www.motoei.com/
On July 13 (Sun), stage greeting by Hakase Suidobashi × Matazo Mimata × Senmonka Harada!
🎬 Hiroshima Prefecture, Yokogawa Cinema from 7/12 (Sat)
▶︎https://yokogawa-cine.jugem.jp/?page=0
※ Check the official movie website for other theater information and details 👇
The documentary film 'Elections and Depression' continues! We are also sharing information on social media. Please follow and share on X, Instagram, and Facebook! If you post and follow us, we will follow you back! Please, please help spread the word!
■ Aoyagi's X: https://x.com/otogisyrupz
■ Aoyagi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otogisyrupz/
■ Aoyagi's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taku.aoyagi.7/
◆ 'Elections and Depression' Official X: https://x.com/senkyo_to_utsu
◆ 'Elections and Depression' Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senkyotoutsu/
◆ 'Elections and Depression' Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/senkyotoutsu