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Off the Fantastic

Pride

KANEKO Shusuke

Japan2009 126 min HD C International Premiere

Synopsis

Two very different women pursue the same dream: becoming a famous opera singer. Shio (Stephanie) is born with connection, looks, and talent, though she loses everything in the blink of an eye. All that is left with her is her pride. Moe (MITSUSHIMA Hikari), on the other hand, has had to fight for even the most trifle thing in life ever since her birth. To her, pride is something highly disposable. Adapting the original manga celebrating the 40th anniversary of the debut of cartoonist ICHIJO Yukari, known for his “Leisure Club” and other works, KANEKO Shusuke (Death Note) presents a film version of “Pride.” The plot is rather simple: pride, destiny, dream, rivalry, you know how that goes. Compared to the original, however, Shio is “two-dimensional” and Moe not so much of a snob. Despite the all too familiar theme, the way the dynamics between the two is portrayed is fresh, both in the manga and film versions. The only way to survive is keeping your pride or compromising it? Which is right? What is true pride anyway? Though like oil and water, Shio and Moe complement each other beautifully when they sing together, creating amazing harmony. Music brings them together, through conflicts, love, and reconciliation, as they reach adulthood. (MO Eun Young)

Diretor

KANEKO Shusuke

Born in 1955. After graduation he started working at Nikkatsu Corporation as an assistant director. His first directoral debut was Uno Koichiro no nurete utsu (1984), which was awarded for Best New Director at "Yokohama Film Festival". He is also well known as a director of Death Note: The Last Name (2006). Currently he is filming romance comedy feature film Bakamono.