Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind titles like Death Stranding, has publicly lauded the recently released Japanese film "Backrooms," directed by Kane Parsons. Kojima's involvement extended beyond mere viewership; he provided a promotional comment for the film's Japanese release and participated in a joint Q&A session with Parsons, where he expressed profound admiration for the movie and hinted at a potential future collaboration.
Kojima, known for his deep knowledge of cinema, has a connection to the film's production company, A24, with whom he is also working on his own film project. During a post-screening Q&A in Roppongi, Tokyo, Kojima detailed his appreciation for the sense of mystery and dread that Parsons cultivated in "Backrooms." "I’d already seen the Backrooms short film, so I had been curious for a long time about what sort of film this would turn out to be," Kojima stated. "The movie is full of clever tricks, and its art and sound direction are so inspired, it honestly makes me a little jealous! I don’t want to give too much away because of spoilers, but I also find the structure of the story fascinating as well, the visual design and sound is so well-incorporated, I can hardly compete with such talent!"
Interestingly, "Backrooms" received a G rating in Japan, making it unrestricted for all ages, a stark contrast to its R rating in the US and other countries. Kojima recounted an anecdote from the screening, noting that he overheard children expressing fear to their parents about not sleeping that night. He humorously considered interjecting when a child questioned if the film's vast environments were CG, wanting to reveal they were all practical sets, but ultimately refrained.
This event marked a notable moment of collaboration between Kojima and Parsons. Kojima has a history of engaging with filmmakers and directors he respects, often leading to their appearances or influence in his own projects. Parsons was photographed at Kojima Productions prior to the Q&A, and during their discussion, he expressed enthusiasm for a future creative endeavor. "I’d love to collaborate with a certain someone in the near future," Parsons remarked, following his observations on Japanese architecture and culture during his visit.
Given "Backrooms" success as an online phenomenon and its effective use of liminal spaces and production methods to create dread, Kojima's appreciation is understandable. While any potential collaboration remains speculative, the prospect of Kojima and Parsons working together on a future project is an intriguing one for fans of both creators.