is a 2011 Japanese

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

directed by

Izuru Narushima is a Japanese scriptwriter and film director from Yamanashi Prefecture. In 2011, his film ''Rebirth'' was awarded the Japanese Academy Prize for best picture. Filmography As Director * ''The Hunter and the Hunted'' (2004) * ''Fly, Daddy, Fl ...

, based on author Mitsuyo Kakuta's novel. The film was a critical success, winning 10 awards at the 35th Japan Academy Prize, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Leading Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Script.

Plot

A woman named Kiwako (Hiromi Nagasaku) abducts a baby from a man with whom she has had an affair. For four years Kiwako has raised the child as her own until she gets arrested. The child named Erina is then returned to her birth parents, but she can't find peace. As an adult, Erina (Mao Inoue) also has an affair with a married man and gets pregnant. To confront her past, Erina goes to Shodoshima where she has lived with Kiwako as a child. There Erina discovers a shocking truth and makes a decision.

Cast

Mao Inoue Mao Inoue (born January 9, 1987) is a Japanese actress. She debuted as an actress when she was five years old. She is best known to Japanese television drama audiences as in , as Makino Tsukushi in the popular ''Hana Yori Dango'' series, and ...

as Erina Akiyama *

Hiromi Nagasaku is a Japanese actress and singer. She was a member of the J-pop group Ribbon. Mark Schilling of ''The Japan Times'' described her as "the best comic actress working in Japan today". Career Nagasaku appeared in Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 2003 film '' D ...

as Nonomiya Kiwako *

Eiko Koike is a Japanese actress. Biography Koike starred in Kunitoshi Manda's film '' The Kiss''. She appeared in Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 2012 television drama '' Penance,'' and co-starred in Junji Sakamoto's ''A Chorus of Angels'' with Sayuri Yoshinaga. S ...

as Chigusa Ando *

Tetsushi Tanaka is a Japanese actor. Personal life Tanaka married actress Yukie Nakama on September 18, 2014, after a six-year relationship. Selected filmography Film *'' Get Up!'' (2003) *'' One Missed Call'' (2004) *'' Umizaru'' (2004) *'' 69'' (2004) *'' V ...

as Takehiro Akiyama *

Yoko Moriguchi is a Japanese actress. She made her film debut with '' Tora-san Goes Religious?'' in 1983. Filmography Film * '' Tora-san Goes Religious?'' (1983) * ''Final Take'' (1986) * ''Chichi'' (1988) * ''Kacho Shima Kosaku'' (1992) * ''Unloved'' (2001) ...

as Etsuko Akiyama *

Mitsuru Hirata is a Japanese actor. He won the award for best actor at the 7th Hochi Film Award and the award for best supporting actor at the 4th Yokohama Film Festival for ''Fall Guy''. Filmography Films *''Fall Guy'' (1982), Yasu *''Theater of Life'' (198 ...

as Yuzo Sawada *

Jun Fubuki is a Japanese actress. Career Jun Fubuki received a Japanese Academy Award Best Supporting Actress nomination for her role in '' Muno no Hito'', and won at the Hochi Film Awards. This role also won Fubuki the "Best Actress" award at the Yokoh ...

as Masae Sawada *

Miwako Ichikawa is a Japanese actress, sister of actress Mikako Ichikawa. She began in 1991 as a model, and released a single in 1998 and an album the following year. She debuted in acting in 2000 and starred in the films '' Another Heaven'' in 2000 and '' Konse ...

as Kumi Sawada *

Kimiko Yo is a Japanese actress. She was given Best Supporting Actress awards at the 2004 and the 2009 Yokohama Film Festival ceremonies. She won the award for best supporting actress at the 32nd and at the 33rd Japan Academy Prize for '' Departures'' ...

as Angel * Min Tanaka as Taki *

Hitori Gekidan , known by the stage name is a Japanese comedian, lyricist, actor, novelist, and film director. He is mainly known his improvisational ability and for his style of physical comedy. Gekidan is represented with Ohta Production. His wife is '' ...

as Takashi Kishida * Nahoko Yoshimoto as Yasue Nikawa

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* 2011 films 2010s Japanese-language films 2011 drama films Japanese nonlinear narrative films Picture of the Year Japan Academy Prize winners Japanese drama films Films based on Japanese novels Films about child abduction in Japan Works originally published in Japanese newspapers Films directed by Izuru Narushima Films with screenplays by Satoko Okudera 2010s Japanese films {{2010s-Japan-film-stub ja:八日目の蝉#映画