Premiere screening event of new movie "Oke Roujin"

The premiere screening event of new movie "Oke Roujin" was held at Hamarikyu Asahi Hall on 26 October which was attended by the director Hosokawa Toru, the original novel's author Araki Gen and cast members An, Sakaguchi Kentaro, Kuroshima Yuina, Kayashima Narumi, Ishikura Saburo, Komatsu Masao, Sasano Takashi, Hidari Tonpei and Fujita Yumiko. The movie will be shown in cinemas from 11 November.

An plays the role of Chizuru who is a senior high school teacher assigned to become the conductor of an amateur orchestra Umegaoka Orchestra which is made up of the elderly. During the filming, the veteran actors were talking so much and so quickly that the younger actors were trying to hold back their laughter. As the veterans were so good in their acting, Sakaguchi admitted that there were times he felt that he was overpowered by them on the filming set.

As the veteran actors were still chatting when the cast was supposed to line up for the phototaking session, An called for their attention and even guided Komatsu to the correct position. When asked for their views on such a young lead actress, the veterans praised her for being able to control the situation and lead them comfortably. An who had spent six months learning how to play the violin and conduct an orchestra, commented that both were difficult for her but her co-stars all chipped in to say that she had done a fine job and they were able to follow her lead without a worry. An also commented to say that this is a movie which is suitable to be watched by families and even hoped that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology would give a recommendation for this movie which led everyone to laugh.

The director Hosokawa said that he was very happy and honoured to be able to get such a fine lineup of veteran actors who he had seen when he was a child so he felt like they were like the Avengers of the Showa era. In response, Sasano joked that when they gathered for the filming in September last year, he was quite worried if any of them might not make it to the completion screening this year (meaning if anyone might pass away) so he was glad that everyone was around this time. Upon hearing this, Hidari retorted by asking who Sasano was referring to when he made that remark.

During the screening, the amateur orchestra and An who was the conductor performed "Pomp and Circumstance No.1" which she commented with a smile that she was grateful to be able to perform this for the first time in front of an audience.

Sources: Sponichi / Oricon 1 / Oricon 2 / Eiga.com