Posts Tagged ‘Byakuyako’

Horikita on the set of “Byakuyako” in Kamakura

// June 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // Interviews, News

eiga.com got an exclusive interview with Horikita Maki (21), the starring actress of the upcoming movie adaption of Higashino Keigo's "Byakuyako" and met her at the former residence of Kachou no Miya in Kamakura, Kanagawa. Horikita is portraying the role of Karasawa Yukiho that already got brought to life on the TV screen by Ayase Haruka on TBS in the dorama adaption back in 2006.

The original long mystery novel already got released in 1999 and sold over 1.8 million copies. Yukiho is a very beautiful woman who eventually ends up losing any hesitation in tricking other people into great misfortune due to some murders that happened during her childhood. At the day of the interview they were filming a freshman party for the new members at the social dance club. Yukiho joined this club in order to get closer to Shinozuka (played by Kyo Nobuo), a senior at college and son of a distinguished family owning a major pharmaceutical company.

Kachou Hironobu established the Kachou no Miya in 1929 and in 2006 it became a national tangible cultural property. It provides a great location for films, but the general public is able to check out the outdoor garden potion as well. Horikita and her friend Midori Yurie (19), who also plays the best friend of Yukiho in the film, appeared on the set wearing some nice afternoon dresses.

They filmed various scenes like Eriko (Midori) looking after Yukiho. Midori doesn't yet seem to be used to be all dressed up and still looked a bit unsteady on her feet. Overall the filming happened in a very relaxed atmosphere and when a Japanese nightingale suddenly decided to disturb the filming with a song, both of them just smiled at each other. Horikita is said to be a big fan of the original novel and had some thorough discussion with director Fukagawa Yoshihiro prior to the filming. "We talked a lot about Yukiho and Ryoji (played by Kora Kengo). The director listened to my subjective opinions about the roles and I listened to his objective opinions. I'm looking forward to what kind of movie it will become." She spoke about the trust between Fukagawa and her.

She also talked about the role itself, her first ever role as a wicked woman. "There are a lot of things within the 30 years of her life we can't portray in the movie. It's really difficult to convey her mental state with so many years missing in between. You always worry whether it was right to portray her emotions like that and what would be the right way to make it an interesting story." While talking about the role and the new challenge that is coming with it, it became pretty obvious that Horikita is sincerely trying to put in her best efforts.

What's the difference when playing a wicked woman compared to the roles she usually played so far? – "Up until now I always tried to made people laugh and raise their spirits with my play, but this time I can't think that way. This isn't a movie with the intention to make you feel happy, you are supposed to feel sad after watching it. I'm playing this role with the thoughts of making you feel down at the end." She said with great ambition and resolution.

Besides Kanagawa the filming will also take place in Chiba, Tokyo, Nagano and several other places. They plan to wrap up the filming by the end of June. Not mentioned above but also appearing in the movie are Funakoshi Eiichiro, Toda Keiko, Tanaka Tetsushi and more. WOWOW Films and GAGA plan to release the movie sometime in spring 2011.


Written by: KawaiiJoyuu
Sources: eiga.com
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Kora Kengo, Funakoshi to appear in “Byakuyako”

// May 9th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // News

bya01Today it has been announced who is going to appear alongside Horikita Maki in her new movie "Byakuyako".

Veteran actor and suspense dorama specialist Funakoshi Eiichiro will play detective Sasagaki Junzo, the same role his colleague Takeda Tetsuya played in the dorama adaption in 2006. "In the dorama adaption Sasagaki was portrayed a bit different compared to the original novel and I think I'm going to play him a bit more different for the movie as well," he commented.

Actor Kora Kengo ("Solanin", "Box!") will play the male lead Kirihara Ryoji. As mentioned in the first announcement, the story is about a boy who kills his father to protect a girl while the girl kills her mother to protect the boy. The producer explains why Kora was the best choice for the role of that boy. "Kora has a sensitive image like Kirihara and exposing his hidden inner madness will make him able to perfectly synchronize with his character."

Kora is a popular and busy young actor this year. "Solanin" and "Box!" (May 22nd) were already mentioned, but he is also going to appear in "Kenta to Jun to Kayo-chan no Kuni" (June 12th) and "Norwegian Wood" (December 11th). "When I first read the script I actually thought that Kirihara would be a really tough guy, but after a few talks with the director I realized that he's actually more human than I thought. It's a character suffering from all kind of hardships. Now I fully understand the directors believe in the role and would like to play it to the best of my abilities," he talked about his role.

The movie is planned for a release in early spring of 2011.

bya02


Written by: Pori-Chan
Sources: Oricon (Thanks to Salim V.Knight for the tip!)
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Staff Blog (04/28): “Byakuyako movie adaption!”

// May 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Staff Blog

100428

Horikita Maki decided to challenge that novel by Higashino Keigo.

A few days ago they've started with the filming and began with the senior high school days. The photo shows her as a female high school student.

Maki is playing the main character Karasawa Yukiho. She is being referred to as a "wicked woman". That's a first for her and I think you will be able to see a new Horikita. The movie will open next spring.

Don't miss it.

 


Please don't post this translation anywhere else!

Horikita Maki to play a “wicked woman” in new movie

// April 28th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // News

Next spring actress Horikita Maki (21) is going to show a new side of her when playing as a "wicked woman" in the movie adaption of "Byakuyako". It's based on a popular novel by famed writer Higashino Keigo (52). Horikita will play a women who uses the misfortune of others for her own advantage. "I want to play a woman that will truly shock the viewers," she who never played an evil woman before commented on the opportunity.

The story is about a boy who kills his father to protect a girl while the girl kills her mother to protect the boy.. They have to keep it a secret until the statute of limitations. Many people already used the mystery novel that sold over 1.8 million copies as basis for new productions. In 2005 there was a stage adaption, in 2006 Ayase Haruka (25) and Yamada Takayuki (26) starred in the dorama adaption and last year South Korea turned it into a k-drama as well.

Horikita will play Karasawa Yukiho, a woman who hides her wickedness behind her beautiful face. She tricks others into misfortune for her own advantage, like using her classmates and close friends to attack other people and to murder the lover of her own mother. Horikita used to have a rather innocent image up to now and almost only played roles that would go along with that. Recently she started to choose more mature and unusual roles and the producers of the movie are sure to have chosen the right actress for the role. "There is some great strength and courage hidden behind Horikita-san's pure and innocent image. That's exactly the image of Yukiho," he said.

She also read the novel during her senior high school days and became a huge fan of Higashino. "The tricks behind Yukiho's schemes are impressive and very interesting to read," she said. About playing such a role for the first time she added: "It will be a lot of fun. I also think it might help me to discover new things about myself."


Written by: KawaiiJoyuu
Sources: Sanspo (Thanks to SalimV.Knight for the initial tip!)
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