yōko yamanaka

alberto giacometti tattoo on yōko’s neck

interview

by OLIVIER ZAHM

portraits

by CHIKASHI SUZUKI

 

Young Japanese filmmaker Yō–ko Yamanaka debuted with Amiko (2017). Her latest film, Desert of Namibia (2024), explores a Tokyo girl’s descent into madness. Now finishing her third film, she is a rising voice of the new generation.

 

OLIVIER ZAHM — Where do you come from?

YÕKO YAMANAKA — I was born in Nagano, Japan, to a Chinese mother. From ages two to four, I lived in China, so I speak a little Mandarin. Later, I moved to Tokyo to attend university.

OLIVIER ZAHM — You made your first movie at a very young age, didn’t you?

YŌKO YAMANAKA — I was 19.

OLIVIER ZAHM — How did you shoot it, and what camera did you use? I heard it was made on a very small budget….