Completion screening event of new movie "Kofuku no Alibi"

The completion screening event of new movie "Kofuku no Alibi Picture" was held on 26 October which was attended by the director Jinnai Takanori and cast members Yanagiba Toshiro, Asari Yousuke, Yamazaki Shigenori, Sato Jiro, Kinami Haruka, Masaki Reiya, Watanabe Dai and Iriyama Noriko. This is the third movie directed by Jinnai and it will be shown in cinemas from 18 November. Nakai Kiichi who is filming in Kyoto, was absent from the event.

The film is an omnibus-style comedy talking about the key events in people's lives such as childbirth, becoming an adult, matchmaking meeting, marriage and funerals. Yanagiba revealed that Jinnai had called him personally to offer him a role in the movie and said that it was fine for him to reject it. However, as Jinnai repeated the same words thrice, Yanagiba found it difficult to say no. Upon hearing this, Jinnai praised Yanagiba for having an even deeper understanding of his role than him so he was always surprised by him during the filming. He also thanked Yanagiba for taking on the movie even though he was supposedly on vacation and handled the long lines very well.

Jinnai thanked the audience for coming to support the movie and said that although he's an accomplished actor (upon hearing this, Sato burst out laughing), he still has a long way to go as a director. However, with such a wonderful cast, he is very thankful for their presence in the movie. Nakai commented jokingly in his video message that if the movie is interesting to the audience, that means that this is due to the hard work of the cast who put in their best for Jinnai but if it is boring, then that is Jinnai's fault as the director. In response to this, Jinnai agreed with Nakai's words but clarified that he has never appeared in a movie so far where he thought that the director was really bad. Nonetheless, Jinnai said that he doesn't expect everyone to be satisfied with the movie but hopes that those who do will spread the word to the people around them. However, if they feel otherwise, they can just tell their friends and families that his movie is somewhat similar to "Kimi no na wa" (the No.1 movie in Japan for the last 9 weeks) which led the audience to burst out laughing.

Sources: Sanspo / Sponichi / Eiga.com

Jinnai Takanori to be director for new movie "Kofuku no Alibi ~ Picture ~"

Jinnai Takanori's first directorial attempt in 9 years will be the upcoming film "Kofuku no Alibi ~ Picture ~" (The Alibi of Happiness ~ Picture ~) which is due to be shown from this April. His last two films as director were "Rockers" in 2003 which talks about his own band and 2007's "Smile Seiya no Kiseki" which has an ice hockey theme.

The new film which is about the key ceremonial occasions of one's life such as birth, marriage and death, was first conceptualised by Jinnai five years ago and he approached Kiyasu Kohei, who is known for his works such as "Kirishima, Bukatsu yamerutte yo", to write the script. Many of his actor friends were roped in to join the cast including Nakai Kiichi, Yanagiba Toshiro, Daichi Yasuo, Sato Jiro, Yamazaki Shigenori, Kinami Haruka, Asari Yosuke, Watanabe Dai, Kimura Tae and Seino Nana.

Sources: Yomiuri Hochi / Nikkansports