JCC Cinema 43: Key of Life

鍵泥棒のメソッド

13 February 2016 (Saturday) at 2:00pm (Registration from 1:30pm)

Japan Creative Centre, Embassy of Japan in Singapore
4 Nassim Road Singapore 258372

Film Synopsis

Sakurai (Masato Sakai) is an aspiring actor who failed miserably and becomes frustrated with his life. He then decides to kill himself, but before committing suicide, Sakurai heads off to a public bathhouse. At the bathhouse, Sakurai witnesses a wealthy man named Kondo (Teruyuki Kagawa) collapse and loses his memory in front of him. On a sudden whim, Sakurai switches his locker keys with Kondo and pretends to be Kondo. However, Sakurai soon finds himself in trouble with the yakuza gangsters…

Meanwhile, the amnesic Kondo was convinced that he is Sakurai but faces with increasing bewilderment as life goes on. Fortunately at the hospital, Kanae (Ryoko Hirosue) helps Kondo to pull himself together. Finally, Kondo comes to his senses, but before he could celebrate, he has to solve the many problems caused by Sakurai who assumed his identity…

About The Cast

Leading actor Masato Sakai, famous for his poignant role in "Golden Slumber", also appeared Uchida’s last film, "After School". Here, Sakai’s talent is tested as he vividly portrays the miserable but lovable character Sakurai.

Teruyuki Kagawa, renowned for his roles in "Tokyo Sonata", "Devils on the Doorstep" (Grand Prix winner at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival) and "Sway", skillfully plays Kondo, a difficult role that has one character assuming two separate and distinct personalities. The riffing dialog between these two talented actors is the key to this film.

Ryoko Hirosue, well-known for her role in the Oscar-winning "Departures", and the highly acclaimed "WASABI", plays the dedicated Kanae who is eagerly seeking marry. Audiences will appreciate how the cool beauty of Hirosue’s former roles so easily turns into a very funny comedienne.

About The Director

Kenji Uchida, born Kanagawa Prefecture in 1972, entered San Francisco State University in 1992 and graduated in 1998 after studying the cinematics of 8mm to 35mm film and the art of screenplay writing. On returning to Japan Uchida won the 24th PPF Award with his independent film “WEEKEND BLUES” in 2002. His first theatrical film “A Stranger of Mine” won four category awards at the 58th Cannes International Film Festival and further 8 Japanese awards in 2005.

In 2007, Uchida won the Silver Award at the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival, the largest and most prestigious ad event in the region, for his Takahashi Liquor Company TV commercial. Barely three years after his debut, Uchida made “After School,” an intricate piece of prime-quality entertainment with an amazing plot that garnered him a well-deserved best screenplay award at the 2005 Japan Academy Awards.

Register for JCC Cinema 43: Key of Life

Please email the below details with the subject JCC CINEMA 43: KEY OF LIFE to jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp

1. Full Name
2. Gender
3. E-mail Address
4. Mobile Number

Please register early to avoid disappointment. We regret that as there is limited seating, seats will be confirmed only upon receipt of confirmation email from JCC. ALL EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.