halfway
"I don't want you to go..."
http://halfway-movie.jp/
Introduction
"This love will last forever..." From the filmmakers of "Swallowtail" and "All about Lily Chou-Chou" comes another beautiful love story, introducing the first-time director KITAGAWA Eriko. It is a bitter-sweet love story of high school couple who cares for each other but struggles for their relationship as the graduation comes closer. KITAGAWA, who is also credited as writer in this film, has earned her reputation for her pure and beautiful love stories with her smash hit TV drama series such as "Long Vacation" and "Beautiful Life." IWAI Shunji ("Love Letter," "New York, I Love You") is producing, along with KOBAYASHI Takeshi ("Midnight Eagle") who is also music-producing the film. It stars KITANO Kie and OKADA Masaki, delivering their most natural performances, depicting real life of teens.
Story
Hiro (KITANO), a high school senior in Hokkaido, falls in love with her classmate, Shu (OKADA), agonizing whether Shu feels the same way.
--- "It's like when he's within 25 meters of me, I feel like there's this banging going on inside of me. I'll fall apart at this rate."
Soon they start dating, but their happy days are interrupted by some news: she is planning to apply for a local university, but he is not.
--- "Why didn't you tell me about this? What will I do without you?"
Hiro pleads with him not to go and Shu starts to think over the priority in his life.
--- "You know, life is longer than you think. You need to think long term."
--- "But isn't right now equally important?"
Now and forever... "halfway" depicts the pure and fragile, yet so strong love story of young couple.
Born 1963. After an award for his TV drama "Fireworks" in 1993, he started making films, and in 1995, his first long feature film "Love Letter" was acclaimed all over Asia. In the next film "Swallowtail" (96), he worked with music producer KOBAYASHI Takeshi and it became a big success in box office and music charts in Japan. Other works include, "April Story" (98), "All about Lily Chou-Chou" (01), "Hana & Alice" (04), among others.
KITAGAWA Eriko / Director & Writer
Born 1961. After her TV drama debut with "Just The Way We Are" (92), she kept creating hit series such as "Long Vacation" (96), "Beautiful Life" (00), "Orange Days" (04), establishing a love story era in TV industry. In "Halfway," not only writing the script, but she also steps into the role of director, creating another "Kitagawa"world.
Staff
Director & Writer: KITAGAWA Eriko
"Say You Love Me" (95) "Long Vacation" (96) "Beautiful Life" (00)
Producer: IWAI Shunji
"Love Letter" (95) "Rainbow Song" (06) "New York, I Love You" (08)
Producer: KOBAYASHI Takeshi
"Swallowtail" (96) "All about Lily Chou-Chou" (01) "Midnight Eagle" (07)
Cast
KITANO Kie: "Gegege no Kitaro" (08)
OKADA Masaki: "A Gentle Breeze in the Village" (07)
MIZOBATA Junpei: "Dive!" (08) "Akai Ito" (08)
NAKA Riisa: "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (06)
OSAWA Takao: "Riding the Metro" (06) "Midnight Eagle" (07)
Production: Cine Qua Non, Gentosha, Rockwell Eyes
Theatrical Release in Japan: February 2009
Domestic Release by Cine Qua Non
(C) 2009 "halfway" Film Partners
