is a 1984 Japanese film directed by Shinichirō Sawai, based on the novel by Shizuko Natsuki (published in English under the title '' Murder at Mt. Fuji''). At the 9th Japan Academy Prize it won three awards and received three other nominations.

Plot

Natsuki's original book ''W no Higeki'', the story of a rich family torn apart by the murder of their patriarch, and their heiress being accused of the crime, becomes a play and is acted out by a troupe of actors in Osaka. The role of the heroine is contended for by young Shizuka Mita (Yakushimaru), who dreams of fame and fortune. Shizuka is taken under the wing of famous actress Sho Hatori (Y. Mita), whose rich patron died in her arms one night, and who agrees to let Shizuka stand in for her. As the play is acted out, Shizuka realizes that many scenes in the play begin to have parallels with real life... The film takes the form of a

story within a story A story within a story, also referred to as an embedded narrative, is a literary device in which a character within a story becomes the narrator of a second story (within the first one). Multiple layers of stories within stories are sometimes ...

, in which the original book's characters are acted out by the film's characters.

Cast

* Hiroko Yakushimaru as Shizuka Mita, who plays rich heiress Mako Watsuji on stage *

Yoshiko Mita (born October 8, 1941) is a Japanese actress. Born in the city of Osaka, she graduated from Joshibi High School of Art and Design in Suginami, Tokyo. In 1960, she was hired by Toei and made her acting debut. She remained with Toei until 1967, ...

as Sho Hatori, who plays Mako's mother Yoshie Watsuji *

Masanori Sera Masanori Sera ( ja, 世良公則) is a Japanese singer and actor from Fukuyama Hiroshima. He graduated from Osaka University of Arts. As a singer Sera's rock band, Sera Masanori&TWIST appeared in the Kōhaku Uta Gassen twice (1978 and 1979). He ...

as Akio Morita, Shizuka's boyfriend and mentor off stage *

Kunihiko Mitamura is a Japanese actor/singer. He is well known for his role in Taiyō ni Hoero! and Hide in the Hissatsu series. Selected filmography Film *'' Almost Transparent Blue'' (1979) as Ryu *'' Hissatsu: Sure Death'' (1984) as Hide *''W's Tragedy'' (19 ...

as Jun Godai, who plays investigator Ukyo Nakazato * Miho Takagi as Kaori Kikuchi, the actress Shizuka relegated from the Mako role *

Ken Nishida is a Japanese actor and voice actor. He is noted for his roles in ''Return of Ultraman'',西田健
at JMDB (Retrieved on May ...

as Koji Shirota, who plays Shohei Mazaki, the victim's doctor *

Kōjirō Kusanagi was a Japanese actor. Biography He began acting at the Yoshi Hijikatas theatre Company after dropping out of Nihon University. Kusanagi made his film debut in 1953 in ''Yoake Mae'' directed by Kōzaburō Yoshimura. In 1956, he starred in ''Dar ...

as Kaichi Kiuchi, who plays Shigeru Watsuji, Mako's grand-uncle

Theme song

* "Woman (W no Higeki) Yori", original lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, vocals by Hiroko Yakushimaru. This song has also been covered by

Yumi Matsutoya , nicknamed , is a Japanese singer, composer, lyricist and pianist. Generally the writer of both the lyrics and the music in her songs, she is renowned for her idiosyncratic voice and live performances, and is one of the most prominent figures ...

, Yūko Andō,

Akina Nakamori is a Japanese singer and actress. She is one of the most popular and best-selling artists in Japan. Akina achieved national recognition after winning the 1981 season of the talent show ''Star Tanjō!''. Her debut single "Slow Motion" was relea ...

and

Ken Hirai is a Japanese R&B and pop singer. Since his debut, Hirai has worked as a model, actor, composer, lyricist, singer, and brand ambassador. During his career, Hirai has released 45 singles and nine studio albums as of January 2019.TV drama 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-ge ...

Awards and nominations

9th Japan Academy Prize *Won: Best Director - Shinichirō Sawai *Won: Best Actress in a Supporting Role -

*Won: Best Sound Recording - Fumio Hashimoto *Nominated: Best Picture *Nominated:

Best Screenplay Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporation, ...

Haruhiko Arai is a Japanese screenwriter. He is also a publisher and an editor of the ''Eiga Geijutsu'' magazine and a professor of the Japan Institute of the Moving Image. Career Arai won the Mainichi Film Award for best screenplay for the film '' W's Traged ...

and Shinichirō Sawai *Nominated:

Best Actress Best Actress is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organisations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actresses in a film, television series, television film or play. The first Best Actress aw ...

- Hiroko Yakushimaru 27th

Blue Ribbon Awards The are film-specific prizes awarded solely by movie critics and writers in Tokyo, Japan. The awards were established in 1950 by which is composed of film correspondents from seven Tokyo-based sports newspapers. In 1961, the six major Japanes ...

*Won: Best Actress - Hiroko Yakushimaru 10th Hochi Film Award *Won: Best Supporting Actress -

7th

Yokohama Film Festival The is an annual awards ceremony held in Yokohama, Japan. Ten films are chosen as the best of the year and various awards are given to personnel. The first festival, held on February 3, 1980, was a small affair by fans and film critics. In 1994, ...

*3rd Best Film

References

External links

* 1984 films 1984 drama films Films based on Japanese novels Films scored by Joe Hisaishi Films directed by Shinichirō Sawai Japanese drama films Joe Hisaishi albums Toei Company films Films with screenplays by Haruhiko Arai 1980s Japanese films {{1980s-Japan-film-stub