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October 23, 2016
Today, the day that connects to the future. "Anniversary" | MOVIE
No matter how happy, sad, fun, or poignant,
it is our anniversary. "Anniversary"
This is a 20th-anniversary film from Medicom Toy, bringing together directors and screenwriters active in a wide range of fields under the theme of "anniversary." Five stories are woven together. Lovers. Friends. Parent and child. Spouses. Sisters. Colleagues. Each anniversary begins to move towards its story's conclusion!
Text by TSUCHIDA Takashi (OPENERS)
Produced for the first time by the renowned Medicom Toy
A landmark film in Japanese well-made cinema
The film features an ambitious vision from five directors: Katsuyuki Motohiro, director of the hit series "Bayside Shakedown"; Atsunori Sasaki, who has helmed numerous variety shows and directed live performances for Momoiro Clover Z; Eiki Takahashi, known for music videos for bands like THE YELLOW MONKEY and AKB48; Kentaro Hagiwara, a rising young talent directing commercials and music videos; and Yu Moriya, a producer behind many hit works.
While the star-studded cast is a major draw, the brilliance lies in how five directors develop stories from the single keyword "Anniversary," which then coalesce into one cohesive work. This is remarkably similar to how diverse talents breathed life into the toy known as Be@rbrick. This film is not merely an omnibus; we urge you to witness how these five stories ultimately connect to a single future.
"Happy Birthday"
＜STORY＞
Kenji (Ryuya Wakaba), a punk, encounters Daiki (Fuku Suzuki), an elementary school student, while attempting to shoplift at a supermarket. Kenji is spotted by a store clerk and flees, pursued. At that moment, Daiki beckons him from a car, and Kenji impulsively jumps in. Following Daiki's instructions, he starts the car... and so it begins.
Director: Atsunori Sasaki
Representative of Film Design Works Inc. After directing variety shows such as "Beat Takeshi's Owarai Ultra Quiz!!" and "Tunnels no Minasan no Okage Deshita," and handling K-1 and pro-wrestling broadcasts, he began directing stage performances for "Momoiro Clover Z" in 2010. His innovative direction, incorporating elements of variety shows and combat sports, overturned existing concepts of idol concerts and established the current "Momoclo" style. Since then, he has directed large-scale venues such as Saitama Super Arena, Seibu Dome, Nissan Stadium, and the National Stadium. He has also directed stages for New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Tokyo Dome events and world boxing matches.
"Happy Birthday, Full of Happiness"
＜STORY＞
A film director (Takao Aoki) arrives in Taiwan to shoot a film themed around "anniversary," but has no concrete ideas! A woman (Megumi Kobayashi) appears before him. He decides to make a film starring her, but...
Director: Katsuyuki Motohiro
Born in 1965 in Kagawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, he attended film school and worked at a video production company before making his directorial debut with the film "July 7th, Sunny" in 1996. The film "Bayside Shakedown 2: The Rainbow Bridge Is Blocked!" released in 2003, achieved the highest box office revenue for a Japanese live-action film. Since then, he has expanded his activities to include directing dramas, stage plays, anime, games, music videos, short films, commercials, and film festivals. In 2015, he directed the film "Flying Colors," based on the play by Oriza Hirata and starring Momoiro Clover Z, also directing the stage version.
"The Missing Anniversary"
＜STORY＞
Ayako's (Marika Ito of Nogizaka46) planner is filled with many anniversaries: the day she first tried mint chocolate, the day she received her first confession, the day she started keeping parakeets. However, today's date is conspicuously blank. It's impossible for there to be a day without a single anniversary. Suddenly, Ayako finds herself on an unfamiliar train. Guided by a mysterious man (Rui Kurihara), a strange journey begins.—.
Director: Eiki Takahashi
In 1989, he won the Grand Prix at the "Japan '89 Video Television Festival," which led him to become a music video director.
In 1997, he received the Best Director award at the "SPACE SHOWER Music Video Awards." His first feature film as director was "trancemission" (starring Jun Murakami and THE YELLOW MONKEY).
In 2000, he won the "Music Video Awards 2000 BEST YOUR CHOICE" for Yuzu's "Tobenaide Tori."
In 2006, coinciding with director Wim Wenders' visit to Japan, he directed a documentary film. (Formally invited to the "CONTACT" exhibition in Toronto, Canada).
In 2012, he directed "Documentary of AKB48 Show must go on: The girls wound themselves while dreaming," which depicted the relationship between the Great East Japan Earthquake and idols. He continued this documentary series.
"The 50th Cinderella"
＜STORY＞
"There's something I want to show you," says an elderly man (Katsuo Nakamura), walking slowly with a refined-looking woman (Chieko Matsubara). The elderly man guides her through a small town, introducing her to a park, a hair salon, and a butcher shop. Drawn by the aroma, they enter a small cafe and each enjoy a cup of coffee...
Director: Kentaro Hagiwara
Born in Tokyo in 1980.
Moved to the U.S. in 2000 and enrolled in the Art Center College of Design.
After gaining directing experience in the U.S., he returned to Japan in 2008 and joined THE DIRECTORS FARM. He studied under a director at THE DIRECTORS GUILD and is active as a director working on films, TV commercials, short films, and music videos.
The film "Tokyo Ghoul" is scheduled for release in 2017.
"Tadao at 300 Meters Above Ground"
＜STORY＞
Tadao (Yasushi Fuchikami), an unsuccessful comedian, and Haruko (Noriko Iriyama), a designer, have been dating for five years. On their fifth anniversary, they have a sudden argument, and Tadao leaves home, never to return. A few days later, Haruko receives a message from Tadao: "I have something important to tell you, so please come to Tochigi first thing in the morning..."
Director: Yu Moriya
After graduating from the College of Art and Design, Nihon University, Department of Film, he entered the world of television drama. As a producer, he has worked on dramas such as "Tentai Kansoku" ('02/Fuji TV), "The Quiz Show" series ('08, '09/Nippon TV), "33pun Tantei" series ('08, '09/Fuji TV), "Shinya Shokudo" ('09/MBS/TBS), "Kodomo Keisatsu" ('12/MBS), and "Minna! Esper dayo!" ('13/TV Tokyo). His major film productions include "ROCKERS" ('03/directed by Kōtaichi Jinnai), "Simsons" ('06/directed by Yuichi Sato), "Little DJ: A Small Love Story" ('07/directed by Koto Nagata), "Bokutachi to Chuzai-san no 700-nichi Sensou" ('08/directed by Renpei Tsukamoto), "Shuffle" ('11/directed by Takuo Oikawa), "Shiawase no Pan" ('12/directed by Yukiko Mishima), and "Budou no Namida" ('14/directed by Yukiko Mishima). His directorial work includes "Samu Raifu" ('15).
"Anniversary"
Opening nationwide October 22 (Saturday)
Starring: Ryuya Wakaba, Fuku Suzuki / Megumi Kobayashi, Takao Aoki / Marika Ito (Nogizaka46), Rui Kurihara / Katsuo Nakamura, Chieko Matsubara / Yasushi Fuchikami, Noriko Iriyama, and others
Directors: Atsunori Sasaki / Katsuyuki Motohiro / Eiki Takahashi / Kentaro Hagiwara / Yu Moriya
Screenplay: Kazuyuki Miyoshi / Atsumi Tsuchishiro / Kyoko Inukai / Ayako Kitagawa / Takuya Masumoto
Music: Tortoise Matsumoto by courtesy of WARNER MUSIC JAPAN INC.
Theme Song: "Futari Di!" by Tortoise Matsumoto
Producer: Tatsuhiko Akashi
Executive Producer: Izumi Suga
General Director: Katsuyuki Motohiro
Produced by: Yu Moriya
Production: Medicom Toy
Production Companies: Production I.G, Atmovie
Distribution: T-JOY
＜Trailer＞
©2016 MEDICOM TOY