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Synopsis

One day Takeru Hayakawa (Jo Odagiri), a successful fashionable Tokyo fashion photographer, hears his mother has passed away. Returning to his hometown in his vintage car, he arrives late and unsuited for his mother’s memorial service. At the dining table later that day – partly because of Takera’s rude and late arrival at the service – the sour relationship between Takeru and his father Isamu Hayakawa (Masatô Ibu) comes to the surface. Before the situation can escalate and end in a scuffle, Takeru’s older brother Minoru Hayakawa (Teruyuki Kagawa) quickly intervenes and appease the emotions.

In the later conversations between Minoru – the son who stayed home and accepted his father’s wish to run the family business i.e. the rundown garage – and Takeru – the one who fled the misery of his small hometown and family, it becomes clear that the relation between them is not that good either. In the first conversation they have Minoru reveals that Takeru’s ex-girlfriend Chieko Kawabata (Yôko Maki) works at the garage as a gas attendant and in spite of Takeru insinuating a possible marriage between the two, he nevertheless ends up with her in bed. Chieko, who dreams of a better life in Tokyo, suggests Takeru to take her with him to Tokyo. He ignores her and leaves her apartment before dawn breaks.

The next day Minoru, Takeru and Chie go out on a trip to a nearby forest. Chie repeats her question and her desire to leave her hometown with Takeru. Again Takeru ignores her and even distances himself from Chieko and leaving her with Minoru alone, thereby leaving room for Minoru to reach out.

Whilst Takeru wanders around on the flanks of the forested mountain to take photographs, Chieko decides to follow him. At the shore he sees the suspension bridge he crossed some minutes ago. He sees Chieko crossing the bridge. Suddenly she stumbles and Minoru, who has followed her, tries to catch her. A few moments later, Chieko’s body is floating downstream. Soon Minoru is arrested for murder. Nevertheless the following questions arises: what happened on the bridge? Was it an accident? Did Minoru commit a murder? But the most important question is: What did Takeru see from his vantage point?

Awards

Awards of the Japanese Academy 2007

Nominated Award of the Japanese academy; best actor: Jô Odagiri

Nominated Award of the Japanese academy; best supporting actor: Teruyuki Kagawa

Blue Ribbon awards 2007

Won Blue ribbon Award; Best Director: Miwa Nishikawa

1st Invitation Award

Won Best movie: Yureru

Won Best Director: Miwa Nishikawa

Kinema Junpo Awards 2007

Won Kinema Junpo award; Best screenplay: Miwa Nishikawa

Takasaki Film Festival

Won Best Director: Miwa Nishikawa

Won Best Actor: Odagiri Joe, Teruyuki Kagawa

30th Yamaji Fumiko Film awards

Won Best Newcomer: Maki Shoto

31th Houchi Film Award

Won Best Supporting Actor Award: Teruyuki Kagawa.

Mainichi Film concours

Won Best film: Yureru

Tokyo Sports Award

Won Best director: Miwa Nishikawa

Won Best actor: Teruyuki Kagawa

Won Best newcomer: Kimura Yuichi.

Palm Springs International Film Festival 2007

Nominated New voices/new visions Grand jury prize: Miwa Nishikawa

Yokohama Film Festival 2007

Won Best film: Yureru

Won Best actor: Teruyuki Kagawa

Won Best director: Miwa Nishikawa

Won Best screenplay: Miwa Nishikawa

Yomiuri Prize for Literature

Won Drama’s award: Miwa Nishikawa

Information

Release date: July 8, 2006.

Production company: TV Man Union, Engine Film, Bandai Visual Company, Eisei Gekijo Company.

Producer: Kiichi Kumagai, Kazumi Kawashiro, Yagitani Shoji, Yutaka Shigenobu.

Cast: Jô Odagiri, Teruyuki Kagawa, Masatô Ibu, Hirofumi Arai, Yôko Maki, Keizô Kanie, Yûichi Kimura, Tomorowo Taguchi, Piêru Taki.

Screenwriter: Miwa Nishikawa (西川美和)

Director: Miwa Nishikawa (西川美和)

Cinematographer: Hiroshi Takase

Editor: Ryûji Miyajima

Music: Cauliflowers

Sound: Mitsugu Shiratori

Casting: Toshie Tabata

119 minutes