MOVIE | The Utterly Heartbreaking Love Story 'Sayonara Itsuka' Preview

Directed by Lee Han of 'A Moment to Remember' - Miho Nakayama Stars for the First Time in 12 Years

The Most Heartbreaking Love Story: 'SAYONARA ITSUKA' Preview

Bangkok, Tokyo, New York. Spanning 25 years, a fleeting romance blossoms into a lifelong love.──Can one love someone so deeply, even when apart and with the passage of time? This is the most heartbreaking love story of 2010, sure to bring tears to all who have loved. Opening January 23, 2010 (Saturday) at Shinjuku Wald 9, Marunouchi TOEI 2, and other theaters nationwide.

By Harumi Someya

Starring Miho Nakayama: A Full Return to Acting

The heroine, Touko Manaka, is described as a woman with 'slender legs and large eyes. She wears designer brands from head to toe, without even wearing underwear, exuding a breathtaking allure simply by being present.' Miho Nakayama embodies this woman, who believes being loved brings more happiness than loving. On screen, she is Touko personified. Her intense, alluring gaze left even me, a woman, slightly breathless.

Known affectionately as 'Mipporin,' Nakayama often played relatable, everyday women. However, with age, her acting range has expanded. In her previous film (which was, admittedly, 12 years ago), 'Tokyo Daydream,' she delivered a powerful performance as a mature woman, earning widespread acclaim. Yet, the long hiatus from acting meant that, in my mind, she had reverted to the Mipporin of old.

Therefore, her performance in this film was a pleasant surprise. She convincingly portrays a spectrum of women, from the free-spirited woman who changes lovers as easily as she shops, to a devoted and pure woman who loves one man exclusively. Her portrayal spans from her vibrant twenties to her dignified fifties, rendered with remarkable realism. The film also features bold intimate scenes, showcasing a truly committed performance. This isn't just a return to acting; it feels like she has ascended to an even higher level.

Perfect Casting. Hidetoshi Nishijima's Physique is Also a Must-See!

The story centers on Touko, who resides in a suite at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand; Yutaka Toubannai, an elite businessman who falls in love with her; and his fiancée, Mitsuko Hiosue.

Hidetoshi Nishijima plays Yutaka. What began as a temporary romance before his marriage gradually draws him deeper into Touko's world. However, he cannot easily abandon the future of success and happiness that awaits him. Nishijima masterfully conveys this internal conflict between instinct and reason through a performance that suggests quiet intensity. His sculpted physique is also a highlight – a lean, athletic build, stripped of all excess, is simply beautiful. It perfectly complements the exotic and passionate atmosphere of Thailand.

Yuriko Ishida also shines. Mitsuko is a graceful and beautiful lady, a true gentlewoman who patiently awaits the words 'I love you' from her fiancé, Yutaka. Yet, she possesses a strong rationality that allows her to uphold her own love until the very end. Ishida excels in such roles. When it comes to portraying characters with a quiet strength, who do not seek male approval, she is arguably the best of her generation.

When people die, do they recall being loved, or loving?

Director Lee Han's signature visual beauty is evident throughout, with everyday life elements woven into the narrative. Alongside the exotic and stunning landscapes of Thailand, Touko's makeup and fashion are also key attractions. At times, she wears daringly low-cut dresses with bright red lipstick; at others, an elegant ensemble with sharply defined eyebrows. In fact, director Lee Han's input significantly influenced Touko's costumes. This attention to detail is apparent in how Touko's inner state evolves with each change of attire as she contemplates Yutaka.

Indeed, Touko, who once believed that being loved brought more happiness than loving, gradually comes to truly love someone.

It's so poignant. Because that love is unrequited. Touko, who had freely experienced romance, finally learns that 'loving' is true love... From that point on, every scene is heartbreaking, bringing tears to the eyes. Ultimately, Touko leaves Bangkok to continue loving Yutaka. The farewell scene brings tears once more.

The most moving moment was seeing Touko and Yutaka reunite after 25 years. Their aging process is incredibly natural. They truly appear as fifty-year-olds, and inexplicably, tears began to flow. Is this a feeling of '25 years was too long'? If so, it means the passage of 25 years was effectively conveyed. Time has undeniably passed, but Touko's enduring love for Yutaka remains, despite their separation. And Yutaka, who finally realized his true feelings after 25 years. This is undoubtedly a testament to director Lee Han's skill.

A central question permeates the entire film: 'When people die, do they recall being loved, or loving?'──

The choices we make at life's crossroads, which await us all.
This film resonates more deeply with adults.

＜STORY＞

1975, in the sweltering heat of Bangkok. Touko, who lived a life of ease with abundant money, beauty, and affection, seeking only 'to be loved,' meets Yutaka, an elite businessman devoted to his dreams. They are instantly captivated and lose themselves in the tropical nights. However, Yutaka is on the verge of marriage and has a fiancée in Japan.
Knowing their love is impossible, Touko realizes that loving is the true form of love, and decides to continue loving Yutaka nonetheless... They eventually have a fateful reunion in Bangkok 25 years later, but──

'SAYONARA ITSUKA'
Director & Screenplay | Lee Han ('A Moment to Remember')
Starring | Miho Nakayama, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Yuriko Ishida
Original Novel | 'Sayonara Itsuka' by Hitoshi Tsuji (Gentosha Bunko)
Distributor | Asmik Ace
©2009 CJ Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
January 23, 2010 (Saturday)
Shinjuku Wald 9, Marunouchi TOEI 2, and other theaters nationwide
http://sayo-itsu.com/