Ryuichi Honda takes us on a "trip through hell" with Yutaka Takenouchi and Asami Mizukawa

by Chris MaGee

This past week word of a new film by one of Japan's hottest young directors came down via Tokyograph. Ryuichi Honda (above right), who has previously brought us such retro-camp comedies as "Pussycat Great Mission" and the Chiaki Kuriyama-starring "GS Wonderland" will be settling into the director's chair again for yet another comedy titled "Okike no Tanoshii Ryokou: Shinkon Jigoku-hen".

Based on the novel by writer Shiro Maeda "Okike no Tanoshii Ryokou" follows the adventures, or misadventures of Nobu and Saki, a couple of newlyweds who are quickly realizing that marriage is not always roses and rainbows. The two decide to shake up their domestic situation by going on a "trip through hell", a journey that ultimately renews their love for each other.

Stepping into the roles of Nobu and Saki are Yutaka Takenouchi and Asami Mizukawa (pictured above left), while the remainder of the cast is being rounded out by such well known character actors as Kirin Kiki, Yoshiyoshi Arakawa, Ai Hashimoto, Denden, Ryota Yamasato and Akira Emoto. Expect to see "Okike no Tanoshii Ryokou: Shinkon Jigoku-hen" in Japanese theatres by May 2011.