During the 2023 Academy Awards race, a surprising video game cameo made its way into one of the Best Picture nominees. The film Tár features a significant narrative twist centered around Monster Hunter, a unexpected addition to a drama focused on the world of classical music. In an exclusive interview with DailyTech, Monster Hunter producer Ryozo Tsujimoto shed light on how this unique scene came to fruition.
In Tár, Cate Blanchett portrays Lydia Tár, a composer who finds herself entangled in a scandal involving inappropriate relationships with young musicians. In the film’s climax, we witness a disgraced Tár, ousted from her prestigious position as chief conductor of the Berlin Orchestra, conducting a performance in the Philippines. It is revealed that she has taken on the role of conducting a live Monster Hunter show for a group of enthusiastic cosplayers.
Tsujimoto expressed to DailyTech the team’s enthusiasm for this sequence. They readily agreed to the project when it was proposed to them, confident that the series was in good hands.
“The production team reached out to us expressing their interest in using the Monster Hunter soundtrack in the movie,” Tsujimoto revealed to DailyTech. “Our development team was thrilled about the opportunity and we immediately agreed! Collaborating with them, we realized the production team held a deep respect for Monster Hunter.”
The film’s conclusion can be interpreted in various ways, with some viewing the Monster Hunter scene as a commentary on Tár’s downfall, while others see it as a critique of her ego rather than the game itself.
Nevertheless, Tsujimoto expressed his joy at Monster Hunter being featured in a Best Picture nominee, chuckling as he acknowledged this milestone.
“We were thrilled to receive such recognition,” Tsujimoto shared. “Previously considered mainly popular in Japan, the success of Monster Hunter World garnered global support. This incredible opportunity made us very happy as an IP.”
With hopes for a Lydia Tár crossover in Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, it seems that the future holds exciting possibilities for the Monster Hunter franchise.
