Okada Junichi to star in new real-life adaptation movie "Chiri Tsubaki"

Okada Junichi will be starring in the new real-life adaptation movie "Chiri Tsubaki" (The wilting camellia) which is directed by Kimura Daisaku and based on the same-titled novel by Hamuro Rin. The filming which began on 15 May, is expected to be wrapped by early July and the movie will be shown in cinemas next year. Unlike most period movies, the filming was done entirely on location in Nagano, Toyama and Hikone so as to incorporate the beautiful scenery in the movie.

Okada plays the lead character Uryuu Shinbee who was expelled from a feudal domain because he exposed his superior's wrongdoing but the latter was not punished for his deed. 18 years later, he attempts to return to the domain at the wishes of his dying wife Shino (Asou Kumiko) who wants Shinbee to go back and help Sakakibara Uneme (Nishijima Hidetoshi) despite the fact that Sakakibara used to vy with Shinbee for Shino's affection and was a huge factor in leading to his expulsion. Co-stars include Kuroki Haru, Ikematsu Sousuke, Ogata Naoto, Suruga Taro, Yoshine Kyoko, Arai Hirofumi, Yagira Yuuya, Fuji Sumiko, Watanabe Dai and Okuda Eiji.

As preparation for the filming, Okada went through three months of sword fighting training. Although this is his 5th period movie to date, he hardly had to use the sword in action scenes for his earlier films so there was a need to go through intensive training this time.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Eiga.com / Sponichi