Director of "Maiko Haaaan!!! and writer of "Hula Girls" team up for new film

by Chris MaGee

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Nobuo Mizuta's purposefully madcap 2007 comedy "Maiko Haaaan!!!" I do know, though, that there are a few of you out there who are (and we can agree to disagree on the film), so here's a news item that will definitely be of interest to you, especially if you're also a fan of Sang-Il Lee's feel good film "Hula Girls".

Mizuta (above left) is currently shooting a new film titled “Tsunahiichatta!” from a script written by Daisuke Habara, the man behind the screenplay for "Hula Girls". The story follows a civil servant in Oita city named Chiaki Nishikawa, portrayed by actress Mao Inoue (above right) who is asked to form a women's tug-o-war team, but due to a lack of candidates ends up on the team herself. Her teammates are being portrayed by Naomi Nishida, Naomi Watanabe, Yoko Asaji and screen veteran Keiko Matsuzaka, who will play Chiaki Nishikawa's mother.

Like the screenplay for "Hula Girls", "Tsunahiichatta!” is based on a true story. Oita City is home to tug-o-war champions, The Oita Cosmo Ladies; and Mizuta's film will be entirely filmed in Oita in order to promote the city. So, it looks like there will be more feel good laughs on the way when "Tsunahiichatta!” hits Japanese theatres next year.

Thanks to Tokyograph for this news.