The Rebirth
(Ai no yokan)
by Masahiro Kobayashi
Japan
Script: Masahiro Kobayashi
Cinematographer: Koichi Nishikubo
Editing: Naoki Kaneko
Sound: Daisuke Akimoto
Music: Masahiro Kobayashi
Cast: M. Kobayashi, Makiko Watanabe, H. Nakayama
Production: Monkey Town Production
Contact:
1-5-1-306, Fujimi,chiyoda-ku
1020071 Tokyo Japan
Tel / Fax : 0081.3.32.64.28.23
Mail: [email protected]
Year: 2007
35 mm, Colour, 102 min,
OV Japanase with French Subtitles
Golden Leopard at Locarno Film Festival 2007
Unreleased
Noriko whose daughter killed a classmate, undergoes cross-examination. Junichi, the father of the young victim, also undergoes cross-examination. One year later, we find them in Hokkaido, a small industrial town. Junichi works in a foundry and lives in a small pension where he daily meets Noriko who is the cook. They never speak to each other. Yet they recognise each other without ever any glance. Both of them tirelessly repeat their daily routine. They have become withdrawn and no longer communicate with people. They share a painful past which they cannot erase. One day, Junichi gives a gift to Noriko. Life is gradually getting back to normal. It is the beginning of an a priori impossible love. It looks like a rebirth.
Masahiro Kobayashi himself plays the part of Junichi, a character haunted by bereavement and pain. Model Makiko Watanabe is Noriko.
