Overseas filming trend continues with Eriko Kitagawa's "Atarashii Kutsu wo Kawanakucha”

by Chris MaGee

We've discussed the trend of Japanese films shooting overseas before here on the J-Film Pow-Wow. It seems that recent films like "Amalfi: Rewards Of The Goddess" (shot on Italy's Amalfi Coast), "Paradise Kiss" (shot in part in New York City) and "Terumae Romae" (shot in Rome) have all captured the imaginations of Japanese audiences and have dollar signs dancing in the eyes of big studio producers. It now looks as if this trend will continue with a new film being produced by none other than Shunji Iwai.

Titled "Atarashii Kutsu wo Kawanakucha”, the film stars Miho Nakayama (above right) as a freelance writer living in Paris who falls in love with a young photographer, portrayed by Osamu Mukai (above left)... and you guessed right, the film is shooting entirely in the French capital. The script, penned by Eriko Kitagawa, is apparently based on her lead actresses own years spent living overseas in Paris. Kitagawa, last in the headlines for directing the youth drama "Halfway", will also be in the director's chair for "Atarashii Kutsu wo Kawanakucha”. Another similarity with "Halfway" is that Kitagawa's mentor, Shunji Iwai (Swallotail Butterfly, All About Lily Chou-Chou) will be assisting her behind the camera as the film's producer.

"Atarashii Kutsu wo Kawanakucha” is currently shooting in Paris and is scheduled for an October theatrical release in Japan. Thanks to Tokyograph for this news.