By Florenda Corpuz
TOKYO – “Blowin’ in the Wind” set the tone for a blustery, bone-chilling afternoon in the Japanese capital, where dedicated fans braved icy winds to catch a glimpse of Timothée Chalamet at the special red carpet premiere of “A Complete Unknown.”
Held on Feb. 8 at the Azabudai Hills Arena, the event marked the venue’s first-ever movie red carpet since its inauguration last year. Chalamet, who portrays a young Bob Dylan in the film, was met with enthusiastic cheers from fans, some of whom had also attended his previous visit to Japan for the “Wonka” premiere in 2023.
Directed by James Mangold and co-written with Jay Cocks, “A Complete Unknown” explores the pivotal early years of Dylan’s career. Set against the backdrop of New York’s vibrant 1960s music scene, the film traces the journey of an unknown musician from Minnesota who rises to fame, embodying the spirit of a generation and cementing his status as a global icon. Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, and Boyd Holbrook, the film brings Dylan’s transformative era to life.
The highly anticipated biopic has already earned critical acclaim, securing eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Chalamet. Its global promotional tour spanned major cities like Los Angeles, New York, London, Bali, and Rome, before reaching its grand finale in Tokyo.
“Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight. I feel very grateful. I see a lot of faces I saw here for the premiere of ‘Wonka,’ and I’m very grateful that people took the time tonight to come to this premiere. I hope people take the time to see this movie about a fantastic American artist, Bob Dylan, who means a lot to me and to so many people in America,” Chalamet told the crowd.
“In my research over the past five and a half years, I discovered he also has a massive fanbase in Japan. Some of his most beautiful live recordings, like ‘A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,’ were done here. I know if you take the time to see this movie, you will be impacted the way I was by Bob’s music,” the 29-year-old French-American actor continued.
When asked what audiences should look forward to in the film, Chalamet reflected on the personal significance of playing Dylan and the impact of the story:
“For me, it was the discovery of an artist who changed my life. The impact Bob has had on me is indescribable, and I think that’s also true for Edward, Elle, and Monica. This is not a simple movie; it has its own spirit, its own beasts. For that reason, I believe it’s worth setting time aside to see it. For me, making this film was a magical experience.”
With its unique take on Dylan’s journey and a stellar cast, “A Complete Unknown” is set to captivate audiences in Japan when it hits cinemas on Feb. 28.
(Photos by Din Eugenio)
