Ootani Ryouhei to take on his first leading role in new movie "Zenigata"

Ootani Ryouhei will be taking on his first leading role in the new movie "Zenigata" which is directed by Ayabe Shinya and will be released in cinemas from 26 May. He plays the lead character Zenigata Tomio who operates an izakaya named Zenigata with his younger brother Shizuka which is located at a corner of a back alley. When the clock strikes midnight, the izakaya becomes an illegal moneylending shop which charges interest as high as 30 percent in 10 days and drives their clients to the edge with their extreme collection methods. Among their clients are many who have debts which they have no means of repaying and come to Zenigata as a last resort.

Ootani said that usually when people hear the surname Zenigata, they would think of Inspector Zenigata from Lupin or the fictitious character Zenigata Heiji who are both on the side of justice. However, in his case, the Zenigata he plays is a dark hero of modern society who knows the true meaning of what it means to be the master of or slave to money. As such, he hoped that the audience would find this movie interesting as it offers an insight into the world of illegal moneylending. The director also shared that the story is meant to show the different types of people who want money, have money, don't have money or desire money so badly and why they behave in these ways. Through the intense and somewhat comical battle over money involving the Zenigata brothers, the audience will be able to enjoy this entertaining movie.

Sources: Natalie / Eiga.com