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Synopsis

Once again we find ourselves in ancient Rome at the time of Emperor Hadrian’s rule. The now famous bathhouse architect Lucius (Hiroshi Abe) is commissioned to rebuild/redesign the bath facilities in the colosseum, which now provide ample relief from the aches and pains the gladiators face. While observing the dank and gloomy thermae, Lucius realizes that he is without innovative ideas as to bring about his own bathhouse philosophy. While thinking hard, he suddenly slips again through time and resurfaces in a sumo wrestlers bathhouse in Modern Japan. Mami (Aya Ueto), who is now a writer covering bathing culture – even though she has not given up on her dream of becoming a manga artist, quickly reconnects with Lucius in his quest for innovative ideas.

Back in ancient Rome a political confrontation is brewing. Some senators, who favour a strict expansionist policy, want Emperor Hadrian (Masachika Ichimura) and his pacifist position gone. Hadrianus asks Lucius to build a thermae than will ensure peace in the Roman empire. Are the senators able to stop Lucius in his quest of building a peace ensuring bathing paradise?

Awards

Udine Far East Film Festival 2012

Won My Movies Audience Award Hideki Takeuchi

Information

Release date: 26 April 2014
Production company: Fuji Television Network, Toei Company, Dentsu, Kadokawa
Producer: Antonello Rubino
Cast: Hiroshi Abe, Aya Ueto, Kazuki Kitamura, Riki Takeuchi, Kai Shishido, Midoriko Kimura, Katsuya, Tarô Akebono, Katsunori Kotoôshû, Minoru Shiraki, Tomoko Matsushima, Tomio Suga, Hachirô Ika, Bunmei Tobayama, Tarô Iwate, Takao Kinoshita, Daisuke Tochiazuma, Fujiazuma Kazuyoshi, Ryûta Toyohibiki, Akira Takekaze, Tomoharu Masunoyama, Masahiro Daikihô, Shinji Nionoumi, Mitsunosuke, Kimura, Tasuke, Azumasato, Daishi, Isoazuma, Sadanokuni, Mutsukaze, Hatachijô, Hakkairyû, Ryota Hama, Tomoaki Tatsumi, Masashi Shibata, Mekdachi Khalil, Martin Burns, Robert Baldwin, Walter Roberts, Leo Brutaru, Noboru Iguchi, Ichi Kyokaku, Miho Iiguchi, Yaeko Kimura
Screenwriter: Hiroshi Hashimoto (screenplay)
Director: Hideki Takeuchi
Assistant director: //
Cinematographer: Shôji Ehara
Special effects: Alexander Naydenov
Visual effects: Masato Aonuma
Editor: //
Music: //
Musiceditor: //
Stunts: Asen Asenov, Ivailo Dimitrov, Zahari Grozdanov, Radoslav Ignatov, Borislav Iliev, Stilyan Mavrov, Georgi Stanislavov, Teodor Tsolov, Kaloian Vodenicharov Costume design: Ina Damianova
Art direction: Ivan Ranghelov
Art department: Maria Doicheva, Stoyan Doychev, Orlin Grozdanov, Anna Hadzhieva, Rositsa Ivanova Peter Krumov, Yossif Mladenov, Vladimir Petkov, Yulian Svilenov, Alessandro Troso, Peter Tsenov, Evgeni Yordanov
113 minutes