Love & Peace: A Love Story for Adults, Crafted with Special Effects | MOVIE

MOVIE | A Love Story for Adults, Masterfully Crafted with Special Effects

The Latest Work from Visionary Director Sion Sono, "Love & Peace"

Sion Sono, a director whose name is now synonymous with Japanese cinema, presents his latest film, "Love & Peace," a story woven with special effects. The film opens nationwide on Saturday, June 27th, at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku and other theaters.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

A Screenplay Penned 25 Years Ago by a Young, Unknown Sono, Now Brought to the Screen

Director Sion Sono, known for acclaimed works such as "Love Exposure," which garnered the FIPRESCI Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, as well as "Himizu" and "Cold Fish," has a devoted international following. His latest film, a "love story for adults" that directly explores romance, stars Hiroki Hasegawa as a down-on-his-luck salaryman. The film is set to be released soon.

In 2015, following the release of "Shinjuku Swan", and with "The World of Kanako" and "The Efficient, Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman" slated for July and September respectively, "Love & Peace" marks the latest release from the prolific Sono. The screenplay, originally written by Sono when he was an unknown young artist, has been brought to the screen nearly intact, a quarter-century after its creation. Describing the film as deeply personal, Sono states, "This movie is the culmination of my soul."

The lead role of the unremarkable salaryman, Ryoichi Suzuki, is played by the acclaimed actor Hiroki Hasegawa. Kumiko Aso portrays the woman Suzuki harbors feelings for. Additionally, Toshiyuki Nishida, who expressed his desire to appear after seeing Sion Sono's "The Land of Hope", takes on the role of a mysterious old man who holds the key to the story. The cast also includes a roster of talented actors such as Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Eita Okuno, Sports Makita, Motoki Fukami, Toru Tezuka, and Miyuki Matsuda, alongside notable figures from other fields like Soichiro Tahara, Hakushi Tsunoda, and Daisuke Tsuda.

Sono, who states he wished to "showcase Japan's special effects culture to the world," has embarked on his first foray into special effects. A team of top special effects artists has come together to add splendor to Sono's unique fairytale.

Ryoichi Disposes of a Turtle, a Fateful Encounter, Down the Toilet

Ryoichi Suzuki is a salaryman leading a mundane existence. One day, on a department store rooftop, he has a fateful encounter with a green turtle.

Ryoichi names the turtle "Pikadon" and begins to care for it. However, when his colleagues mock him for carrying the turtle, Ryoichi impulsively flushes Pikadon down the company toilet. From there, Pikadon travels through the sewers to the home of a mysterious old man living underground, setting in motion a series of unexpected events for Ryoichi.

While the signature breathless storytelling of Sono's films remains intact, this work distinguishes itself from his previous, more shocking endeavors through its use of special effects. A moving climax awaits beyond the unfolding narrative.

Love & Peace
Opens Saturday, June 27th, at TOHO Cinemas Shinjuku and other theaters nationwide
Director & Screenplay: Sion Sono
Starring: Hiroki Hasegawa, Kumiko Aso, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Eita Okuno, Sports Makita, Motoki Fukami, Toru Tezuka, Miyuki Matsuda
Distribution: Asmik Ace
2015 / Japan / 117 min
http://love-peace.asmik-ace.co.jp

© "Love & Peace" Production Committee