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SXSW Interview for Anima with Brian Tetsuro Ivie and Takehiro Hira
In this special SXSW episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Brian Tetsuro Ivie and actor Takehiro Hira to discuss their new science-fiction road film Anima, which made its world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival.
The film follows an unlikely pair on a cross-country journey toward a controversial technology that can preserve human consciousness. In our conversation, Ivie talks about making the leap from acclaimed documentaries to narrative filmmaking, crafting a story that blends sci-fi with emotional drama, and exploring the philosophical question at the heart of the film: if we could upload our minds, should we? Hira also shares insight into building his character, the film’s themes of memory and mortality, and what drew him to this deeply human genre story.
Anima stars Sydney Chandler and Hira alongside Lili Taylor, Marin Ireland, Maria Dizzia, and Tom McCarthy. 
Brian Tetsuro Ivie is a Japanese-American filmmaker and producer known for his work across documentary and narrative cinema. A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Ivie first gained recognition for directing the documentary The Drop Box (2015) and the investigative documentary Emanuel (2019). 
In addition to directing, Ivie has produced and executive-produced a number of independent films, including Wildcat, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival. 
Anima marks Ivie’s narrative feature debut as a writer-director, bringing his documentary background into a genre-blending story that examines identity, memory, and the future of human consciousness.
Takehiro Hira is an internationally recognized Japanese actor known for his work in film and television across both Japan and Hollywood. He gained global recognition for his role in the historical drama series Shōgun and has appeared in major productions including Gran Turismo and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
In Anima, Hira plays Paul, a solitary man embarking on a final journey to preserve his consciousness through experimental technology. His performance anchors the film’s emotional core, bringing depth to a story that grapples with aging, legacy, and what it means to live on through memory.
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By 1st On FilmIn this special SXSW episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Brian Tetsuro Ivie and actor Takehiro Hira to discuss their new science-fiction road film Anima, which made its world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival.
The film follows an unlikely pair on a cross-country journey toward a controversial technology that can preserve human consciousness. In our conversation, Ivie talks about making the leap from acclaimed documentaries to narrative filmmaking, crafting a story that blends sci-fi with emotional drama, and exploring the philosophical question at the heart of the film: if we could upload our minds, should we? Hira also shares insight into building his character, the film’s themes of memory and mortality, and what drew him to this deeply human genre story.
Anima stars Sydney Chandler and Hira alongside Lili Taylor, Marin Ireland, Maria Dizzia, and Tom McCarthy. 
Brian Tetsuro Ivie is a Japanese-American filmmaker and producer known for his work across documentary and narrative cinema. A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Ivie first gained recognition for directing the documentary The Drop Box (2015) and the investigative documentary Emanuel (2019). 
In addition to directing, Ivie has produced and executive-produced a number of independent films, including Wildcat, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival. 
Anima marks Ivie’s narrative feature debut as a writer-director, bringing his documentary background into a genre-blending story that examines identity, memory, and the future of human consciousness.
Takehiro Hira is an internationally recognized Japanese actor known for his work in film and television across both Japan and Hollywood. He gained global recognition for his role in the historical drama series Shōgun and has appeared in major productions including Gran Turismo and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.
In Anima, Hira plays Paul, a solitary man embarking on a final journey to preserve his consciousness through experimental technology. His performance anchors the film’s emotional core, bringing depth to a story that grapples with aging, legacy, and what it means to live on through memory.