Actor Hiromitsu Kitayama described a frightening experience where heavy snowfall obscured roads during the filming of a new horror movie [1].
The incident highlights the physical risks associated with remote location shooting in extreme weather conditions. As the lead actor in a production centered on a snowy environment, Kitayama's account provides a glimpse into the challenging atmosphere of the set.
In an interview broadcast on June 18 [2], the 40-year-old actor [1] said that the snow had accumulated to a point where the intended roads were no longer visible. He said that he and his manager continued driving straight when they were supposed to have turned, leading to a moment of genuine fear.
"The snow had piled up too much, and the road that should have been there was gone," Kitayama said [2]. "The fact that my manager and I just kept going straight on a road where we were supposed to turn was scary" [2].
Kitayama is starring in the film "Hyoketsu," which marks his first time as the lead in a horror production. He said the movie is a story where the peace of a family in a world closed off by snow is invaded by a "white apparition" [3].
The production utilized a location heavily blanketed in snow to establish its atmospheric setting. While the specific location of the shoot was not disclosed, the environmental conditions created real-world tension for the cast and crew that mirrored the film's themes.
The movie "Hyoketsu" is scheduled for a nationwide release in the summer of 2026 [4].
“"The road that should have been there was gone,"”
The overlap between the film's horror themes and the actual environmental hazards faced by the production underscores the logistical challenges of high-concept location filming. By sharing this experience, Kitayama bridges the gap between the fictional terror of the movie and the physical vulnerability of the performers in extreme climates.
