It has been revealed that Hokuto Matsumura of the popular group SixTONES will appear in the film "Thou Art Like a Star" (directed by Michihito Fujii ), which stars Ryusei Yokohama and Suzu Hirose . This will be Matsumura's first time working with Fujii, and he will play the best friend of the protagonist played by Yokohama.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Yu Nagira, winner of the 20th Japan Booksellers' Award. Set on a picturesque island in the Seto Inland Sea, the story follows Kai Aono (played by Yokohama), a male high school student who transfers to the island from Kyoto, and Akemi Inoue (played by Hirose), a female high school student born on the island and living with her mother. They meet and fall in love, but are tossed about by their respective destinies and forced to make choices over a period of 15 years. The screenplay is written by Naoko Adachi , who has worked on NHK's serial dramas " Okaeri Mone " and the "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" series.
Matsumura plays Naoto Kuzumi, Kai's partner and confidant who handles the artwork for the original manga he creates, and a close friend with whom he can talk about anything. Matsumura said, "When I received the offer and met Naoto Kuzumi, I instinctively knew that I couldn't leave him alone. He deserves to be loved that much. As I read the book, I strongly felt that I wanted to be the one to make that happen."
It was also announced that Anne Nakamura and Gaku Hamada will be appearing in the film. Nakamura will play Eri Nikaido, a literary editor who works hard at a publishing company, and director Fujii, who is working with her for the first time, said, "When I thought about a career woman, Nakamura immediately came to mind." Hamada will play Shibugaki Ueki, an editor who works at the same publishing company as Nikaido and guides Kai and Naoto to become professional manga artists.
"Thou Art Thou" will be released nationwide on Getsuku.
◇Comment from Hokuto Matsumura, who plays the role of Naoto Kujumi
The moment I received the offer and met Naoto Kusumi, I instinctively knew I couldn't leave him alone. He deserved to be loved that much. As I read the book, I strongly felt that I wanted to be the one to make that happen.
Everyone who participated in the Fujii team unanimously says that Director Fujii is a passionate and incredibly serious person. I felt exactly the same way after finishing filming. His passion taught me so many ways of loving a character that I didn't know before. I am truly proud to have been a part of this project. As a film fan myself, this is a movie I would recommend to others.
◇Comment from Anne Nakamura, who plays the role of Eri Nikaido
Nikaido is a passionate editor who is captivated by Aono Kai's talent and encourages him to write novels. I played the role hoping to be someone who would push him forward and say, "I really want you to write a novel!"
I am truly delighted to have been a part of this project and to have been able to participate in the Fujii team. I hope this work reaches many people!
◇Comment from Gaku Hamada, who plays the role of Shibugaki Ueki
I was delighted to work again with Director Fujii and everyone in the Fujii team, whom I have immense trust in. This film is filled with a wide range of emotions, including joy, anger, sorrow, and the complexities of human nature, and it's difficult to describe the relationships between any of the characters in a single word, but I think that's what makes it so appealing.
There are some difficult scenes, but a gentle light always shines through the entire work, and I approached the filming with the hope of not forgetting the gentle feelings that are always there somewhere, and expressing them through Ueki. I think it has turned out to be a wonderful work that speaks to the softest parts of everyone's heart, and I would be happy if this work becomes aきっかけ (trigger/opportunity) for conversations with those close to you.
