Wasabi
Short description
Hubert Fiorentini is a French police inspector whose rough methods have earned him a reputation and a mandatory leave of absence. Word arrives from Japan that Miko, the woman he loved and who vanished some twenty years earlier, has died, and that he is the sole heir to her estate. He travels to Tokyo, where he is met by a former colleague and learns that what Miko left him is not money but a teenage daughter, Yumi, whose existence he never suspected. While he keeps his identity from her, criminals pursuing the fortune tied to the inheritance force him into a conflict.
Gérard Krawczyk directed the film, which followed Taxi 2 in his filmography and was released in 2001. Luc Besson wrote and produced it, and Jean Reno plays Hubert, with Ryoko Hirosue as Yumi, Michel Muller, Carole Bouquet, Yoshi Oida and Christian Sinniger in supporting roles.
Produced on a budget of about 15 million dollars, the film earned roughly 10 million worldwide, less than its cost. On IMDb it holds 6.6 out of 10 from around 46,000 votes, and on TMDB 6.7 out of 10 from about 1,500 votes, suggesting a modest but fairly consistent audience response. A critics' rating of 5.2 out of 10 from 41 reviews sits somewhat below those audience scores, indicating a less favorable critical view than that of viewers.
What's left behind the scenes
- Wasabi is a spice primarily used in Japan, with a very sharp and pungent taste reminiscent of mustard.
- The amount in Yumi's bank account is indicated in dollars, however when this amount is transferred to Hubert's account, it is already indicated in euros. This is explained by the fact that at the time of filming, the dollar and the euro were equivalent currencies.
- Filming took place from April to July 2001.
- During a golf game, the police chief asks Hubert: “Don’t you have roots?” – this is a clear reference to the film “Léon” (1994).
- In the scene of checking into a hotel room, Hubert thanks the employee for their work by slipping a bill into their hand. However, in Japan, unlike Western countries, this is considered a gross insult.
- In the scene where Huber checks into the hotel, he thanks the employee and gives him a tip. In Japan, this is considered an insult.
- Actress Ryoko Hirosue did not know French, and had to memorize all her lines by ear.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
