Haruki Murakami’s Short Story ‘Hanalei Bay’ to Get Feature Length Film

18.October.2018 | SPOT

It has been announced that Hanalei Bay, a short story by internationally acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami, is being turned into a feature length movie set for release in Japan on October 19. It will star actress Yō Yoshida who has appeared in many Japanese films and dramas in recent years and has played the roles of both main characters and support characters. It is directed by Daishi Matsunaga, an up-and-coming name in the Japanese film industry that directed award-winning Pieta in the Toilet (2015).

Murakami’s Hanalei Bay was released in 2005 and is included in the short story collection Tōkyō Kitanshū (“Mysteries of Tokyo”) published by SHINCHO BUNKO whichi has sold over 700,000 copies.

 

Talking about her part in the film, Yō Yoshida commented: “I have never felt happier. To be able to come to life in the world of one of Haruki Murakami’s works.” She will play the part of Sachi, a mother who loses her son in a shark attack while he is surfing in Hanalei Bay.

Reo Sano of Japanese dance and music group Generations from Exile Tribe will play the role of her son, Takashi. Sano has gained much attention as an actor recently, such as his performance as the lead role as Natsuki Hashiba in Rainbow Days (2018). He is sure to leave a lasting impression in this movie too.

Nijiro Murakami will play the part of the second Takahash, a surfer who Sachi meets at Hanalei Bay and who she sees her deceased son in. Gai Sato will play the role of his friend Miyake. Sato is a pro surfer who has gained attention for appearing on Terrace House: Aloha State.

 

A “secret” gift is also being prepared for those who will see the film at the cinema. They will be given an envelope that simply says “Please open after viewing the film.”

 

Find out what the secret is by heading to the cinema in Japan and seeing the movie when it drops.

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