Abe Hiroshi & Matsushima Nanako to star in new movie "Inori no maku ga orirutoki"

Abe Hiroshi will be starring in the real-life adaptation movie "Inori no maku ga orirutoki" (When the curtain of prayers comes down) which is based on the same-titled novel in the "Kaga Kyoichiro series" by Higashino Keigo. The novel is the 10th title in the series which was published in 2013 and had won the 48th Yoshikawa Eiji Literature Award. Abe had first played police detective Kaga in the Spring 2010 drama "Shinzanmono" which was followed by two SPs "Akai Yubi" and "Nemuri no Mori" as well as the 2012 movie "Kirin no Tsubasa Gekijouban Shinzanmono" that achieved box office takings of JPY 1.68bn. Besides Abe, regular cast members from the series include Mizobata Junpei, Tanaka Rena and Yamazaki Tsutomu will be making their return alongside Matsushima Nanako who will be participating in the series for the first time and play Asai Hiromi, an actress and director in this new movie. Other co-stars include Kohinata Fumio and Ito Ran. Filming began from 9 June and is expected to be wrapped up by 25 July. The movie will be shown in cinemas next year.

The story will reveal the biggest unresolved mystery in the series i.e. the truth behind the disappearance of Kaga's mother and why Kaga became a Shinzanmono in the local precincts despite his stellar credentials while Kaga tries to resolve the murder case of Asai's ex-classmate Oshitani Michiko who lived in Shiga Prefecture but was found dead in an apartment in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. The apartment's resident Koshigawa Mutsuo has gone missing thus making it difficult for Kaga and Matsumiya (Mizobata) to make much progress in their investigations. Later, they find that Michiko had come to Tokyo to visit Asai who is directing a play performed at Meijiza in Nihonbashi but there is nothing linking her to the missing Mutsuo as well. When a burnt body is found nearby, an item left behind by the deceased had the names of the 12 bridges in Nihonbashi. Kaga is shaken by the revelation which suggests a link to his mother who had died alone...

Abe who is playing Kaga for the first time in three years, said that he is reminded of when he first did this series because the filming is being done in Ningyocho as before. Although the series had talked about his conflict with his father before, this is the first time that Kaga's relationship with his mother is depicted in the story which will tie in with the investigations of the main case. As for working with Matsushima for the first time, Abe expressed anticipation at seeing how she will play the role of Asai in this movie. On the other hand, Matsushima commented that she is honoured to be given a chance to participate in this popular series and described her character as someone who has to bear the weight of her sad past. She hopes to be able to make a good movie along with her co-stars and staff.

Sources: Nikkansports / Eiga.com