Challenge from the Year 2020!

Bin Furuya. Photo by Brett Homenick.

"Challenge from the Year 2020" is the title of episode 19 of Ultra Q (1966), and it featured Bin Furuya in probably his most iconic suit-acting role (aside from the original Ultraman, of course). In this episode, Furuya-san played the alien creature Kemur, who is easily one of the most recognizable monsters from the entire series.

So it's quite apropos that as 2020 begins, there would be a special event with Furuya-san himself. The event was held in the evening of Sunday, January 12. Not only was Furuya-san on hand as a guest, but cinematographer Masao Nakabori joined the event, as well. Together, they mostly discussed the history of the original Ultraman (1966-67) TV series.

Masao Nakabori. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Nakabori-san even brought along a rare treasure -- the viewfinder of a movie camera from around the 1930s. Attendees got to hold and examine the viewfinder up close. It was a quite a treat to see firsthand how cinematographers of the 1930s shot movies!

The event was a lot of fun. Furuya-san thanked me for sending him a New Year's card and gave me his updated business card. Nakabori-san is always great to talk to, especially about the history of filmmaking in Japan. I hope to have a chance to see them both again very soon.