Shimizu Yuichi is a shy and lonely day laborer looking for love. He aimlessly spends time corresponding with girls via telephone dating services and going on random encounters with girls looking for spending cash. His world is shattered one day when he is involved in the murder of one of his former encounters, the sweet-faced Ishibashi Yoshino who, after being jilted by playboy Masuo Keijo, berates and mocks the troubled loner.
Acting
Satoshi Tsumabuki's devastating physicality of shame.
Direction
Lee Sang-il refuses easy sympathy for anyone.
Cinematography
Bleach-bypass look that makes Kyushu feel post-apocalyptic.
Director
Sang-il Lee
Eri Fukatsu
Mitsuyo
Satoshi Tsumabuki
Shimizu
Masaki Okada
Keigo Masuo
Hikari Mitsushima
Yoshino Ishibashi
Sansei Shiomi
Keiji Sano
Mansaku Ikeuchi
Norio Kubo
Ken Mitsuishi
Norio Yajima
Kimiko Yo
Yoriko Shimizu
Suzuki Matsuo
Tsutsumishita
Kinuo Yamada
Tamayo Magome
Hanae Kan
Kiri Tanimoto
Ayaka Nakamura
Masako Adachi
Yoshiko Miyazaki
Satoko Ishibashi
Kento Nagayama
Koki Tsuruta
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film won five Japan Academy Prizes including Best Picture, beating out the more internationally heralded 'Confessions' that same year.
This was Hikari Mitsushima's breakout role—her performance as Yoshino deliberately weaponizes the 'kawaii' innocence Japanese media expects from young actresses.
JP
