Director Daihachi Yoshida returns with a film about high school class struggles

by Chris MaGee

During the past half decade director Daihachi Yoshida has created a filmography filled with comedic characters who just aren't very nice people, or if they're nice then they are deeply damaged in some way. Just look at his feature debut, 2007's "Funuke, Show Some Love You Losers!" with it's psychotic would-be actress anti-heroine, or it's follow up, 2009's "The Wonderful World of Captain Kuhio", a film that centers around a playboy conman. Even 2010's "Permanent Nobara" features a lead character with some major reality vs. fantasy issues. What aspect of society could Yoshida take a swipe at next? How about of of the most fertile places for brutal power struggles and intimidation... high school?

According to Tokyograph Daihachi Yoshida is currently adapting RyoAsai's award-winning novel “Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo” to the screen. The book, and now the film, tells of a high school in which there exists an unbreakable social caste system of the "upper" students" and the "lower" students. Well, unbreakable is a relative term, because the story follows the aftermath of one student named Kirishima who dares to move from the "upper" social circle to the "lower". In Yoshida's film this disturbance of the high school universe will be seen through the eyes of two boys - film student Ryoya, portrayed by Ryunosuke Kamiki (above), and baseball club member Hiroki (Masahiro Higashide).

A story of social strife in the halls of a high school from the man who brought us "Funuke"? Sounds perfect to us, but we'll have to wait until next year when "Kirishima, Bukatsu Yamerutteyo" is released in Japanese theatres. Thanks to Eiga.com for the above promo still.