A huge poster has appeared in the free space beside the east main entrance on the first floor of Palaceside Building (photo above). It advertises the film “64,” opening in May–June.
Emperor Showa died January 7, 1989, so “Showa 64” lasted only the seven days January 1–7 (from the 8th it was Heisei 1). The film is a mystery around an unsolved girl kidnapping-murder that year, known as “64.”
The source by Hideo Yokoyama, who has produced many talked-about works such as “Half Confession” and “Climber’s High,” topped the 2012 Weekly Bunshun Mystery Best 10 and the 2013 “This Mystery Is Amazing!” and became an NHK drama (five parts) in April 2015. This film version is a two-part work, “Raging First Part” and “Lamenting Second Part,” opening May 7 and June 11 — a “continuous roadshow” that is itself news.
The film site bills a “super-luxury all-star cast representing Japanese cinema,” and the poster’s many faces are exciting. Koichi Sato as Yoshinobu Mikami, once a detective, now a Police Affairs Division public-relations officer taking on “64”; Go Ayano as Suwa, the PR-office section chief who runs for him; Nana Eikura as Mikumo, the woman officer who supports Mikami with Suwa; Eita as Akikawa, Toyo Shimbun cap who holds together the prefectural-police press club that clashes with PR; Masatoshi Nagase as Yoshio Amamiya, father of the “64” victim; Tomokazu Miura as Katsutoshi Matsuoka, chief of First Investigation, Mikami’s superior in his detective days and once head of the “64” pursuit squad. Also Yui Natsukawa, Naoto Ogata, Kippei Shiina, Eiji Okuda, Toru Nakamura, Hidetaka Yoshioka and more, veterans to younger leads, all in important roles.
Takahisa Zeze, a unique director whose skill is recognized worldwide — including the FIPRESCI Prize at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival for “Heaven’s Story” (2010) — takes the megaphone; the ending theme “The Wind Has Stopped” is by Kazumasa Oda.
Mikami, living as an individual inside the police, bears conflict, is always under press pressure as a PR officer, and as a father faces his daughter’s running away. What he sees when he reaches the truth of the case —
The Mainichi Newspapers is also involved, hence this large poster. Except during some events, the stars’ gazes on the poster will fall on passersby until opening. (The photo above is poorly shot; below is a proper poster photo.)
