SUBMITTED BY LClem

December 2, 2002 — Emi Wada has talked about HERO for the first time - interview with Nangfang Daily: Director Zhang Yimou had clear requirement on each department. What is his requirement on costume? I met director Zhang Yimou in November 2000 in Tokyo. He asked me to design the costumes for Qin (note: The King's country) with the terra-cotta figures as reference. I couldn't find record for costumes of Zhao (note: the kingdom being conquered by Qin and also the home country of the three assassins and Moon), therefore they were entirely my own creation. Who made the decision of which colors and styles to pick, you or he? I first provided him the design of Zhang people's hairstyles and costumes, then he asked me to design the armors and helmets for the Qin emperor (The King) and his army. We have agreed on everything. Colors and styles of the costumes were all selected by us under his direction. You have worked with Akira Kurosawa in so many films. Then what is your biggest achievement? Which film's costume is your favorite? I worked with director Akira Kurosawa in two films, RAN and YUME. I spent three years on making preparation for RAN. It was my first time to work on a project that huge and I had to design all the costumes. It's really hard. (Laugh) Director Akira Kurosawa told me, in Japanese films, my design was the only one of its kind.