Masato Sakai pioneers a new frontier playing a downtrodden middle-aged man.

'The Night Beyond the Sea' marks the first time director Masaki Akahori, known for his "Akahori World" that has captivated audiences through his writing, directing, and acting, has taken the helm. The film is a long-awaited adaptation of his own play of the same name, which he starred in himself in 2007 to great acclaim, with a revised script.



Masato Sakai stars as the protagonist, Nakamura. Meanwhile, Takayuki Yamada plays the hit-and-run driver, Kijima. The two, co-starring for the first time, challenge roles they've never played before, meticulously crafting their characters. Sakai, in particular, transforms into a nondescript middle-aged man with thick glasses, disheveled hair, and a grubby work uniform, revealing a new side to himself. The cast also includes a curated selection of actors such as Hirofumi Arai, Tomorowo Taguchi, Gō Ayano, Mitsuki Tanimura, Maki Sakai, and Sakura Ando.

Loneliness, conflict, longing... The human drama depicted by a man whose beloved wife was murdered and those around him.

Kenichi Nakamura, who runs a small ironworks, has been living in emptiness, consumed by profound loss since his beloved wife died in a hit-and-run accident five years ago. Around the same time, Kijima Hiroshi, the hit-and-run driver recently released from prison, begins receiving anonymous threats counting down to the "day of revenge."

The loneliness, conflict, and desires harbored by the two men and the people surrounding them. Then, on the fifth anniversary of his wife's death, the two men finally confront each other. As their souls clash, Nakamura's blade directed at Kijima takes an unexpected turn. Where will each of them end up?──.

A man who lost his beloved wife and carries loneliness and conflict within him. This film, which pushes the boundaries to depict his struggle to find answers amidst the razor's edge between violence and daily life, is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the "Akahori World."



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'The Night Beyond the Sea'
Nationwide release starting Saturday, November 17th
Director & Screenplay | Masaki Akahori
Starring | Masato Sakai, Takayuki Yamada, Hirofumi Arai, Tomorowo Taguchi, Gō Ayano
Distribution | Phantom Film
2012 / Japan / 119 minutes
© 2012 "The Night Beyond the Sea" Production Committee