Sawajiri Erika to star in new movie "Neko wa dakumono"

Sawajiri Erika will be starring in the new movie "Neko wa dakumono" (A cat is meant to be hugged) which is directed by Inudo Isshin and will be shown in cinemas from 23 June. The story which is based on the same-titled novel by Ooyama Junko, features Sawajiri as the lead character Ooishi Saori who is a 33-year-old woman working at a supermarket in a suburban city. She used to be a member of the idol group Sunnies but failed to make it as a singer and literally escaped from the city. Her only solace in life is the male Russian Blue cat Yoshio which is the "leftover" in the pet shop and has not been bought by anyone yet. Through the daily interactions with Saori, Yoshio starts to think of himself as a human being and wants to become her lover thus bringing about extraordinary changes in their plain lives.


Sawajiri revealed that she had a lot of trust in the director thus she agreed to the offer quickly to star in this unusual tale about a lonely woman in her 30s and her relationship with a cat. As she also had to sing and dance to show the idol days of Saori when she was younger, Sawajiri said that Saori's failure in showbiz caused her to be unable to live as freely as she should which should resonate with many people who feel that they should be living in a different way from what they are doing now. As for Saori's relationship with Yoshio, Sawajiri described Saori as someone who can't even love herself and treats Yoshio more like a confidante who knows her well rather than a lover in real life.

Filming began from 30 October last year and had since been completed.

Sources: Yomiuri Hochi / Sponichi / Eiga.com / Natalie