If there was a birthday cake for the Brillia Short Shorts Theater, it would probably be an elegant, minimalist affair — no excessive decorations, nothing too calorific and five slim candles giving off a modest orange glow. One of just four movie theaters in and around Tokyo dedicated to short films, Brillia Short Shorts turns 5 years old this month. And the good news is: People really seem to like it. Not in a spectacular, queuing around the block kind of way, but just enough to fill the 128 lipstick-red upholstered seats, each embroidered with its own gold number, and have the lobby cafe (a secret find for foodies) thronged by discerning fans who see no reason not to have an artisanal latte just because they're at the movies.
All this has taken industry skeptics somewhat by surprise. Japan's movie industry has never really favored short films, unlike in the United States and Europe where mastering the medium is often a prerequisite to a successful feature film career.
But there is one local insider who has worked tirelessly to promote the merits of the short-film medium in Japan, and that's actor Tetsuya Bessho, 47, founder/director of Brillia Short Shorts.