Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 The following page scans have been reproduced here with permission from Mami Shimomura. They come from her excellent book "Catching Leonardo DiCaprio in Thailand", published in Japan during June 1999. These pictures cannot be used on the internet without the permission of the publishers first. It is suggested that in order to avoid copyright infringements, webmasters (and people posting pictures on message boards) should link direct to this page rather than to the images:
https://members.tripod.com/leofans/mami.html
From February through March 1999, my friends and I came over to the beautiful country, Thailand. What was the purpose of this trip? It was just to watch Leonardo who was shooting his new film "The Beach" there. The book, "Catching Leonardo in Thailand" is the documentary reports of our hottest days we spent there.
The book contains 16 pages of multicolored photos, 80 pages of black and white photos, and 160 pages of "the diaries" written by our members, Leonardo watchers. All the photos in the book were taken by us, not a professional photographer.
(Pages 1-80) Pictures of Leonardo in Thailand. Please note that in Japanese books you always start at the "back" and work your way to the "front".
(Page 81) Prologue: The beginning is a piece of the information received through internet. (The pictures are screen shots of the Leonardo on the Beach web site.)
(Pages 82-83) "Big News!! - Leo's new film, THE BEACH will be shot in Thailand!"
In the middle of last November, I received the above information through Internet news service and shared it with our members of the mailing list. We are Japanese women, and we are very enthusiastic Leonardo admirers!!
After taking a full year off, Leo will finally start to work! And his new film is to be shot in Thailand, in ASIA! Will Leonardo, the hottest star in the universe, come to Thailand? Will he come to a place, where we can reach within a few-hours flight? Are there any chances to see Leo? To see Leo while he is shooting ? To see Leo off-camera ? Our dreamy imagination grew day by day!!
And in December a British school teacher in Thailand opened an Internet Website for Leonardo's new film. On his website, he introduced information about shooting schedules in Thailand which was reported in Thai newspapers, and it was in detail.
But, on the other hand, there were also scores of bad news and rumors. Local environmentalists took legal action against 20th Fox as they alleged shooting of the film would damage Thailand's nature. The shooting will be suspended???
On January 27, 1999, the newspapers reported that the shooting of the film had begun in Thailand as planned!!
Then......
Who on earth could stop us? Our
brains and our hearts are always 120% occupied with just "Leonardo".
Let's go to
Thailand and meet Leonardo, meet Leonardo!!!
We are LEONARDO DICAPRIO *OKKAKE-TAI !!
*OKKAKE-TAI: This is a Japanese expression. "OKKAKE" means those who chase something or somebody with great eagerness and sometimes it means the "action" itself, action of chasing by those OKKAKE people. "TAI" means a group, a party. It comes from the military term. When you see "OKKAKE-TAI" in the translations, it means "Mami and her party".
(Pages 85-90) "OKKAKE Reports"
at Phi Phi Island
Picture: Leo and his bodyguard Dan walking along the pier.
"Turn around and look at me, LEOOOO!!!!!!!!!!"
Surrounded by clear, emerald-green colored sea, Phi Phi Island is the utopia worthy of the name.
## Dark Clouds are Hanging Over Our Project ...##
Getting the information about the shooting schedule from Richard's website, 11 members of OKKAKE-TAI began to work on the project. Mami, who brought up the project, was elected to be the "Captain" of the OKKAKE-TAI. The shooting of "The Beach" was going to last from January to the middle of April. It was to be done at Phi Phi Island till January 27, and they were going to move to Kao Yai and shoot there by the middle of February, and next to Krabi. "When should we fire our missiles?" "Should we target Phi Phi?" "How about flight arrangements?" "Where to stay?"
As the festive mood was cooled down, we suddenly came to ourselves, in other words, came to the situation which we faced.
- Can I leave home for a whole
week?
- Who will take care of my kids while I am away from home?
- Will the company allow me to take a whole week off?
Some of the OKKAKE-TAI members were obliged to drop out of the project due to their personal reasons. And some serious news followed.
## Police Officer with Arms Prevent Visitors? ##
A week prior to the shooting, Leonardo came to Thailand. He did rehearsals at a small island near Phi Phi. At that time, he seemed to be much relaxed and so did his security guards. But, when Leonardo got ready to work, the paparazzo also got ready to work. They didn't hesitate to intrude on Leo's privacy at all. At the first day of the shooting on January 17, while the press reporters were waiting for him to show up, Leonardo appeared wearing dark glasses and a cap on.
And then, the following news was reported by Thai newspapers.
"Maya Bay on Phi Phi Island is closed to the public to facilitate the shooting of the film. Long-tail boats supported by police patrol boats were used to seal Maya Bay to prevent visitors from travelling through."
Maya Bay is closed? Police prevent visitors from travelling through? This news was really shock to us. "Disengage?"
"Catching Leonardo DiCaprio in Thailand" is published by Tokuma Shoten (1999) and has so far only been printed in the Japanese language. Although there are no immediate plans to produce an English edition, we will of course bring you any news on developments. Please visit the following board to read the latest news:
Leonardo Fans Only!
Mami Shimomura is the author of another wonderful book called Leolinks. As the name suggests, it contains the names of the best Leonardo DiCaprio web sites on the internet. The book has an on-line edition which can be read in Japanese and English. Thank you very much
Friday, 25-Jun-1999 15:23:00This is Mami Shimomura, the author of the book, "Catching Leonardo DiCaprio in Thailand ". Thank you very much for your warm-hearted messages for my newly published book. What I found in Thailand was not only Leonardo but also the kindness of Thailand people. Also I thank you Richard and your students. Without the information from your wonderful website, it was impossible for us to meet Leonardo. You made our dreams come true! I can't thank you enough!
Mami Shimomura
Replies:
Kristin Noelle: Congratulations on your book! It looks and sounds wonderful... we very much appreciate it.Brigitte: Thank you very much Mami!! Please say you will make an English version of your book..I bet it will be in the top 10 for sales!!
Alex: Thank you so very much Mami. I love the pictures. I too hope you make an English version.
Kris: Thank you so much Mami, what a beautiful book it looks so lovely I hope we get the English version here. The few pictures we have seen are gorgeous, I especially love the cover for your book, I hope we are able to buy it here very soon.
Bree: I join the others in thanking you and congratulating you for your wonderful book!! The pictures that Richard has posted here for us are breathtaking!! I too, hope you will consider doing an English version in the near future!! Again, many thanks!!
Chirr: Thank you very much, Mami. I am very happy to read this book! And... please forgive my impressions. I am blushing.... But I really want to say, your book is so beautiful.
Brigitte: Just read the "teaser"! I want more!! Thank you Yuko for doing the translations and Mami for providing the book! I am definatly Leonardo OKKAKE-TAI!!
Phia: Thank you Mami and Yuko!! I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to purchase this book if it was available in English. I appreciate seeing the photos you let Richard post, and would love to see more of you're perspective.
Donna: I would like to thank Mami and Yuko also. I would love to purchase this book in English.
Jasu822: Mami - PLEASE consider a translation of your wonderful book into English and sale of it here in the US - there are so many out here who feel as I do and would buy this book in a heartbeat if it were available here in the US!!!
Kris: I would dearly love to buy this book, and please please consider an English translation, and to be sold world-wide if possible, it looks simply superb, we would all love to be able to purchase it as well. Thank you so much for giving us a sneak preview.
The above was posted on the Leonardo Fans Only! Board.
