2016/04/23 An article on Yomiuri Newspaper 読売新聞記事

事件から１ヶ月後がちょうど４月２２日でしたが、熊本の地震もあり一日遅れて夕刊にて掲載された記事です。

One month after the incident. Due to the earthquake in Kumamoto, there was a delay and it was published  on 23nd of April. 

Here is the translation:

His wife wishes that Mr. Gilles Laurent’s posthumous work will be released.

One month has passed from the terrorist incident in Belgium.

Mr. Gilles Laurent staying in Brussels, Belgium for editing a film fell a victim.

“The film must be put on view to the public by any means necessary.” says Reiko-san.

【Brussels＝Yuya Yokohori】A certain male Belgian stationed in Tokyo, Japan was found among the victims caused by the simultaneous terrorism in Belgium. The man is Mr. Gilles Laurent (46). He had been drawn into direct involvement in the terrorist incident at Brussels’ subway while he had been staying in Belgium in order to complete a film he had filmed in Japan. It is one month from that day on April the 22nd. Reiko Udo-an (46), who is Gilles Laurent’s wife, is eager “to put the film, which is her husband’s posthumous work, on view to the public by any means necessary.”

“Gilles-chan, thanks a lot for your appearance in my life, and giving me wonderful changes. Reiko.” Reiko-san wrote this message to Gilles-san in Japanese, at the funeral held in South Bouillon, Belgium where Gilles-san was born, at the end of March. Reiko-san met Gilles-san who was traveling in Japan, in 2009, and married him in 2010. They have been blessed with two daughters, and they had been living in Tokyo from November, 2013.

Gilles-san, who had been a sound engineer in charge of general film sound effects, loved best the movie “Tokyo Story” directed by Yasujiro Ozu. Gilles-san began to shoot a documentary film in Japan as a director himself. “I want to sketch the connection between human beings and land,” he said. And so, he followed the men who were continuing to protect the animals left behind all alone because of the influences of nuclear power plant accident in Fukushima Pref. where the East Japan Huge Earthquake Disaster happened, and the people who started new lives. This film was to become the maiden work.

Gilles-san who finished shooting the scenes came back to Belgium alone in December, 2015, and was continuing the last editing work together with his coworkers, staying at his elder sister’s house in Brussels. However, he met with the act of terrorism on the way to the studio where he was going to, by use of the subway as usual.

Reiko-san’s eyes were filled with tears when she saw the photos taken with Gilles-san’s digital camera, which he had left at his elder sister’s home. There were 85 shots in which their two daughters, namely elder sister (5) and young sister (4) were drawing pictures. All the pictures were those which Gilles-san took for one hour on the two days ago before he left Japan. And also he left an exercise book of “Kanji” (Chinese characters). Then he who had been continuing to learn the Japanese language, also had spelled the word “Aisaika” (Devoted husband). “He had been a humanitarian who was really tied to his family and a very affectionate person.” Reiko-san cherishes the memory of the deceased. By the way, the said Gilles-san’s film is almost completed now. Therefore, “Reiko-san hope that a lot of people will go to the film, because she want to carry out Gilles-san’s dying wishes.” So, she is about to move for throwing the film open to the public, making contact with Gilles-san’s friends.

・The upper side photo: Gilles-san shooting a scene in Fukushima Pref. (left)

This photo was offered by Mr. Keisuke Yamamoto who was in charge of interpretation.

・The bottom photo: Gilles-san and Reiko-san. (in Belgium) The photo was offered by Reiko Udo-san.

The Evening edition of The YOMIURISHIMBUN

April the 23rd, 2016; Saturday