It was revealed on May 26th that actress Kyoka Suzuki will play the heroine in "BYE BYE LOVE: The Detective Is in the Bar" (directed by Kazuya Ryuhei Matsuda, opening December 25th), the latest installment in the "The Detective Is in the Bar" film series starring actors Kyoka Suzuki and Ryuhei Matsuda. A Teaser trailer and visual were also released at the same time.
The "Detective Is in the Bar" series, set in Sapporo's Susukino district, depicts the adventures of a handyman "detective" played by Yo Oizumi and his partner "Takada," played by Ryuhei Matsuda, as they get involved in troublesome cases. Based on the "Susukino Detective Series," a representative work by Sapporo-based hard-boiled author Naoki Higashi, three films have been produced so far: the first film, "Detective Is in the Bar" (2011), the second film, "Detective Is in the Bar 2: Susukino Grand Intersection" (2013), and the third film, "Detective Is in the Bar 3" (2017).
The latest film will be directed by Kazuya Shiraishi, known for the "Blood of Wolves" series and "The Disease Leading to the Death Penalty," and the screenplay will be written by Ryota Furusawa, known for the "Confidence Man JP" series and who has worked on all previous installments of the series.
◇ "The choice of the original work was based on the premise of having Kyoka-san," says Sudo on his website.
The heroine of this story is Junko, a woman the detective once loved. The young detective loved her dearly, but she mysteriously disappeared 25 years ago. Years later, she reappears before the detective with a strange request. This reunion will eventually transform into "revenge"... The full story is still shrouded in mystery, but as the title "BYE BYE LOVE" suggests, the highlights of this work include the past encounter and separation between the detective and Junko, and how "love" changes amidst the incidents and conspiracies that the detectives will become involved in, as well as the detective's unknown past.
Yasushi Sudo, the head producer at Toei who has overseen all the films in the series, said, "This time, the choice of source material was based on the premise that Kyoka would be in the role." Sudo, who also co-wrote the script with Furusawa, revealed that the casting was achieved through a passionate offer, saying, "When Oizumi asked me, 'It would be great if Kyoka would accept, but what if she doesn't?', I firmly told him, 'If she doesn't accept, we'll do something else.'" He added, "The character of Junko, which we asked Kyoka to play, required not only to have the right looks, but also to be an actress with a beautiful voice, and from that perspective, we couldn't imagine anyone other than Kyoka." He then expressed his confidence, saying, "I think everyone will understand why we were so insistent on Kyoka once they see this film!"
When Suzuki received the offer, she recalled her feelings at the time, saying, "I had always dreamed of playing a client in a detective movie, so I was very happy when I received this offer and my dream came true." She added, "I read the script with excitement, wondering what kind of chemical reaction would occur when the familiar humor of 'The Detective Is in the Bar' was combined with director Shiraishi's hard-hitting violence." She further stated, "It was a great joy to be a part of the 'Detective Is in the Bar' series, with its all-Hokkaido location shoots, the fun of the humorous interactions between the characters, and to play the role of Junko. Watching Oizumi's 'Detective' up close, I strongly felt the sense of resignation and naivety of the 'Detective,' and I was impressed by the depth and richness of the character portrayal."
Oizumi, who plays the detective, also commented upon hearing that Suzuki had been cast as Junko, "I had discussed with the producer that the project itself wouldn't work unless Kyoka Suzuki. When I heard that she readily agreed to appear, I was truly relieved and genuinely happy. I was thinking that if she hadn't accepted, we would have had to reconsider the project itself, so I was really grateful." Reflecting on working together, he added, "She was exactly as I imagined, and even more so than I had imagined. Kyoka Suzuki brilliantly portrayed Junko, a character who possesses both beauty and a sense of transience and sadness." He also revealed details about the set, saying, "Between takes, we talked about local cuisine, as we both love good food, and we had a very enjoyable time."
Finally, regarding his latest work, he commented, "This time, it's a story depicting the 'bittersweet love' of a detective's younger days. The detective, now older, reunites with Junko, and a new case begins to unfold. Please look forward to this story, which is a mix of sadness and tension, as unforgettable memories of first love intertwine with a new case!"
◇A special trailer featuring the detective's murmurs and Junko's voice intersecting has also been released.
Along with this, a new Teaser trailer hinting at the beginning of the case, and a double A-side teaser visual depicting the detective and his partner Takada standing proudly amidst falling snow, as well as the alluring and mysterious Junko, have also been released.
The trailer begins with a figure running across a vast snowfield as if escaping from something, followed by a series of shots hinting at the start of the case, such as the back of a detective walking through Susukino and the scene of a car accident. The lead line, "The case begins with one love," and the scene where Junko appears at the bar "Keller Ohata" with a request, and her partner Takada grumbles, "I should have cut ties with you after all," foreshadow an unprecedented crisis for the two. The detective's murmur, "25 years ago...", and Junko's voice saying, "It has to be you," intersect, creating a thrilling and suspenseful video that promises an exciting development.
The teaser visual is a double A-side visual that makes use of the motifs of this work: a snowy landscape and a bar. One side depicts the detective and Takada standing amidst falling snow. It also features the intriguing tagline "Goodbye, Detective," which synchronizes with the title "BYE BYE LOVE." The familiar "Takada-go" also appears to be waiting to depart. The other side features the alluring figure of Junko, clad in a trench coat. Her expression is both beautiful and mysterious, suggesting she may have just visited the bar "Keller Ohata."
What kind of events will unfold as a result of the strange request from the "most beloved person," and what kind of "revenge" lurks in the background...? The visuals are dramatic and sure to spark the imagination.
◇Comment from Kyoka Suzuki(who plays Junko)
I've always dreamed of playing a client in a detective movie, so I was incredibly happy to receive this offer and have my dream come true.
I read the script with excitement, wondering what kind of chemical reaction would occur when the familiar humor of "The Detective Is in the Bar" was combined with director Shiraishi's hard-hitting violence. It was a great pleasure to be a part of the "The Detective Is in the Bar" series, with its all-Hokkaido location shoots, the enjoyment of the humorous interactions between the characters, and to play the role of Junko. I had worked with Mr. Oizumi before on a period drama, but we played opposing characters then, so this time I got to enjoy some fun conversations with him as the detective's beloved, and he was always considerate of my meals and health during my stay in Sapporo.
Watching Oizumi's portrayal of the "detective" up close, I strongly felt the detective's sense of resignation and naivety, and I was deeply moved by the depth and richness of the character's portrayal.
◇Story
Sapporo's Susukino district. In this city, there's a detective known as the "handyman" (Yo Oizumi) and his partner, Takada (Ryuhei Matsuda). One winter night, the black telephone in "Keller Ohata," the bar where the detective makes his home, rings. "I need you to deliver a letter to someone." The voice belongs to Junko (Kyoka Suzuki), a woman the detective once loved dearly. This strange request leads the detective and Takada into a large conspiracy. Eventually, the story takes an unexpected turn...
