16/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 16, 2025

24

LYFE

I T is a cold, wet morning and frigid air is seeping through the open doors of a college gymnasium in Tokyo. But that does not seem to worry Soichiro Kakimoto and 30 other young businessmen as they gear up for their weekend routine: cheerleading. “Smile when times are tough!” shouts a tall man with an eager smile. The others – all dressed in dark suits and ties – pump their fists and jam to the upbeat music that fills the space. Their chants echo through the gymnasium. “Yes, you can! You can definitely do it! Go, Japan! Go, Japan!” The young men are all about spreading cheer through their eye-popping acrobatic performances, volunteering their weekends at shopping malls and other venues to entertain crowds. Calling themselves “Cheer Re-Man’s” – a mash-up of “cheerleading” and “salaryman” – the group, formed in 2023, is made up of alumni from the o Young businessmen chase passion

Japanese ‘salarymen’ inspire with cheerleading acrobatics

one is not well, the other might be, and that is contributing to my overall mental health,” said the 23-year-old, who works at a software development company. “If we, Japanese salarymen, can do what we are passionate about, then everyone else can keep chasing their dreams too.” The unusual sight of Japanese corporate warriors being launched 7m into the air in synchronised routines won them an online commercial spot to advertise the stretchy Uniqlo suits they wear for their performances. The group also competed in Britain’s Got Talent , where they came third in their semi-final. On a recent weekend, the suited

elite Waseda University’s male cheerleading squad. Their day-jobs range from real estate sales to marketing, and they balance their professional lives with their passion for cheerleading. For practice, the squad often borrows half the gym from a female college cheerleading team in exchange for biscuits. From Monday to Friday, Kakimoto is the quintessential Japanese salaryman, commuting in crowded trains, working late and going out drinking with colleagues, wearing the stretchy navy Uniqlo suit that doubles as his cheerleading uniform. “On weekdays, I use my brain and on weekends, I use my body. Even if

social media, was there to see the spectacle. “In Japan, we are all going through a lot. Watching these salarymen putting in so much without giving up makes me cry. It is so inspirational,” she said. – Reuters

men performed in front of a huge crowd at a shopping mall with gravity-defying stunts, human towers and infectious energy. Yasuko Yamaki, a 61-year-old housewife who learned about the group three months ago through

Members of Cheer Re-Man’s, an all-male cheerleading team of active businessmen, perform at ‘Cheer Up Japan’ in Tokyo.

Members of Cheer Re-Man’s adjust their neckties as they prepare to practise.

Satoi Mochizuki, 32, laughs with his cheerleading teammates as they practise for their upcoming performance in Tokyo. – PICS FROM REUTERS

Indonesian filmmakers aim to impress at Cannes

INDONESIA’S top movie-makers are aiming to make a splash at this year’s Cannes film festival, backed by one of the country’s most famous cinema veterans Christine Hakim. More than two decades ago, Christine produced and played a starring role in the landmark Indonesian drama Leaf on a Pillow , which was screened to acclaim in Cannes at the time. The silver screen star is now leading a group of around 60 filmmakers and officials to the glitzy French resort town, hoping to put the Southeast Asian nation’s burgeoning film industry on the map. Days ahead of Cannes’ opening, Christine said she was heading back to the festival to help Indonesian filmmakers sell their movies and talk to possible new partners for future films. “We are bringing young, talented filmmakers to showcase this new wave. It is important for the future of Indonesian cinema and I believe the impact will be significant,” added

Christine has high hopes, said Indonesia is producing “a lot of different genres” these days. “Following the example of South Korean cinema, I think that this is a fruitful moment for the development of Indonesian cinema,” said Asmara, who made her name in horror movies including Satan’s Slaves and Impetigore , the latter of which also Now 68, the actor and producer said her return to Cannes carried bitter-sweet memories. She paid an emotional tribute to the late French film powerhouse Pierre Rissient, who died in 2018. Thanks to her “brother” Rissient, she said Cannes discovered Indonesian director Eros Djarot’s Tjoet Nja’ Dhien . The colonial war drama, which also starred Christine, was selected for Critics’ Week in 1989, the first Indonesian film to be screened on the Croisette, signifying that it had featured Christine. ‘Happy to return’

Christine, who appeared alongside Julia Roberts in the 2010 hit Eat, Pray, Love . Among her delegation to Cannes are some big players in Indonesian film, including director of 1998’s Leaf on a Pillow , Garin Nugroho, actors Chelsea Islan and Reza Rahadian, and directors Robby Ertanto and Yosep Anggi Noen. Producer Yulia Evina Bhara will be a Cannes Critics’ Week jury member, scouting for emerging filmmaking talent. She co-produced Japanese director Chie Hayakawa’s Renoir , which is in the running for this year’s most prestigious Palme d’Or prize. Indonesia, a country with 280 million people, has a dynamic film market with about 126 million cinemagoers last year. The country also produced 285 movies in 2024 – the same number as France. Half of them were horror flicks. But 33-year-old actress Asmara Abigail, another talent in whom

Indonesian actress and producer Christine (right) and actress Asmara. – AFPPIC

been recognised for its artistic excellence, originality or innovation. “I must be there to do the same for Indonesian and Asian film that Pierre did,” Christine said.

“I am happy to return to Cannes for young Indonesian filmmakers because I must give back to the younger generation what cinema has given me.” – AFP