First-day-screening event of new movie "Boku no Ojisan"

The first-day-screening event of new movie "Boku no Ojisan" was held at Marunouchi TOEI 1 on 3 November which was attended by the director Yamashita Nobuhiro and cast members Matsuda Ryuhei, Maki Youko, Kudo Kankuro and Onishi Riku. The movie which is based on the same-titled novel by Kita Morio, features Matsuda as a part-time lecturer at an university who is a loafer staying with his nephew Yukio's family. When Yukio has to write an essay titled "The adult around me" for his homework, he decides to write about his uncle and how the latter falls in love at first sight with Inaba Eri (Maki), a American-Japanese when they meet in Japan. On the spur of the moment, Ojisan brings Yukio along when he follows Eri to her hometown in Hawaii so as to woo her. Part of the filming was done at Hawaii for two weeks in November last year.

Matsuda commented that although his charater is usually lazy, he actually has the ability to spring into action immediately. As the filming progressed, he grew to love his character more and was getting more excited so this movie has become a favourite to him. As for his co-star Onishi, Matsuda praised him for being at the centre of the movie despite his young age and "grumbled" that everyone's attention was on Onishi rather than himself.

Meanwhile, Maki said that her character Eri is a very cheerful person so she did have doubts if she could play this character since her image is rather different. As such, she did suspect at one point if she was somewhat like the 7th choice actress to play this role. Despite so, she still accepted the offer readily as she had never played the Madonna in a movie. In response to her remark, the director said that she was definitely not the 7th choice actress as she imagined herself to be. When asked about her thoughts about a loafer guy like Ojisan, Maki commented that although there will be financial problems, she doesn't dislike such people. As she had to play a Japanese living in Hawaii, she had to put on makeup to show a tanned complexion and say long lines in English as well.

As a gesture of appreciation to Onishi who had gone on an intensive promotional schedule for the movie, Matsuda and Maki presented a pair of air tickets to Hawaii to him. Onishi was surprised and at a loss of words when he received the present. Upon seeing this, Kudo who plays Onishi's father in the movie but was not in Hawaii for the filming, "hinted" to Onishi that he didn't go to Hawaii last year with them.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Sponichi / Oricon

"Boku no Ojisan" screened as opening film for the 9th Shitamachi Comedy Film Festival in Taito

The new movie "Boku no Ojisan" which is due to be shown in cinemas from 3 November, was screened as the opening film for the 9th Shitamachi Comedy Film Festival in Taito on 17 September. The movie which is based on the same-titled children's book by the late Akutagawa Award-winning Kita Morio, features Matsuda Ryuhei as the lead along with Onishi Riku who plays his nephew. Also at the screening event held at Taito Ward Asakusa Public Hall to greet the audience was the scriptwriter Suto Yasushi.

Matsuda plays the role of the "Ojisan" i.e. uncle who is full of excuses, lies on his bed all the time to read manga and leads a sloppy lifestyle. The movie is from the viewpoint of his nephew Haruyama Yukio (Onishi). One day, Ojisan falls in love at first sight with 4th-generation Hawaiian-Japanese Inaba Eri (Maki Youko) and he unexpectedly chases after her to her home in Hawaii.

During the 2-week filming in Hawaii, Onishi had a good time at the beaches but Matsuda revealed that he chose to laze around in his room even though he was invited to go along just like the character of Ojisan. As the day of the opening screening was also the world premiere of the movie, Matsuda commented that he was very happy to see that the audience enjoyed the film and he was pleased to hear their laughter while waiting backstage. As for Onishi, he expressed his joy at being able to take on such a meaty role even though this was only his second movie to date.

Co-stars in this movie include Totsugi Shigeyuki, Terajima Shinobu, Kudo Kankuro and Toda Erika.

Source: Eiga.com