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SHAPE OF RED

By Yukiko MISHIMA

PONY CANYON INC - as SALES All rights, World

Drama - Completed 2019

The stunning film adaptation of Naoki Prize winner, Rio Shimamoto’s controversial novel that digs into
the true nature of women.
Starring actors Kaho and Satoshi Tsumabuki put themselves to the test, with their extreme performance that’s sure to raise the audience’s body temperature by 2 degreees!

- Year of production
- 2019
- Genres
- Drama
- Countries
- JAPAN
- Languages
- JAPANESE
- Duration
- 123 mn
- Director(s)
- Yukiko MISHIMA
- Cast
- Satoshi TSUMABUKI, Kaho
- Synopsis
- 【INTRODUCTION】
  Based on the extraordinary love story “Red” by Rio Shimamoto, winner of 159th Naoki Prize for Literature for “First Love.” Her novel “Narratage” was also recently adapted to film. Since its publication in 2014, “Red” heralds a “turning point” in Shimamoto’s writing, depicting a modern woman grappling with the real issues of our time as well as the pain and pleasure of love.
  There are many exceptional films, past and present, that explore the theme of love. When the heart eclipses the mind and emotions overtake reason, a moving story is born. We often do not choose who we fall in love with, nor can we stop ourselves from falling in love, even when we know it is
  wrong. It can happen to anyone. The emotion of love is not rational, or a question of right or wrong.
  We live in a society that stokes intolerance, compelling us to adhere to prescribed roles – as wives, mothers, husbands, fathers, parents and members of society…We all struggle with uncertainty as we question ourselves and our choices given our limited time on this earth.
  Director Yukiko Mishima of “Dear Etranger” is known for her sensitive character development. In “Red” her individual characters emerge in a dramatic and modern backdrop, engaging the audience to question how we understand our own values. It is a real, multi-layered love story that is a must-see for every woman assuming multiple roles and every man struggling to live in the modern world.
  
  【STORY】
  A man and woman driving a car on a snowy night are blinded by the snow blizzard. Their inability to see the road ahead mirrors their relationship.
  Tohko Muranushi lives an ideal life with her husband Makoto, six-year-old daughter Midori and her parents-in-law. One day, she is reunited with her ex-lover from ten years ago, Akihiko Kurata. She was 20 and Kurata was married at the time, but wore no wedding ring. But now the tables are turned and Tohko is the married one. Words are unnecessary to communicate their feelings, and they are drawn to each other against their will.
  Kurata learns that Tohko regrets giving up her career after the birth of her daughter, and finds her a job at a company he works with. Tohko’s world progressively expands, causing her existing relationships to shift. Thrown off guard by the aggressive advances of a co-worker and strongly influenced by Kurata, she begins to emerge from her shell and free herself from the desire to remain in her safe cocoon.
  Her husband is a good father and an honest man, but doesn’t understand her. Her “ideal” relationship with her mother-in-law begins to show signs of strain. She is overwhelmed by daily household chores, child rearing and her growing sense of dissatisfaction. She realizes that the stability she once sought is meaningless if she can’t be her real self.
  Kurata frees Tohko from a “place” she thought she could never escape, and helps her find her true self. An unexpected destiny awaits Tohko as she begins to understand what happiness really feels like..