Matsuyuki cancer film already attracting overseas interest

Sunday 15th June, 06:50 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress Yasuko Matsuyuki, 35, will play the role of a mother who struggles with cancer therapy during her pregnancy in her new film “Yomei” (limited life). Matsuyuki plays a doctor who gets pregnant 10 years after her marriage, but is diagnosed with breast cancer.

Matsuyuki’s agency, Star Dust Promotion, showed excerpts of the film at last month’s Cannes film festival and has already sold the film distribution rights to several countries, even though production has not yet finished.

Star Dust handles several famous actors and actresses such as Yuko Takeuchi, Kou Shibasaki, Erika Sawajiri and Miki Nakatami.

5 Comments

rjd_jr at 08:16 AM JST - 15th June

A disease movie sounds like a good chance to show some acting chops
OssanULTRA at 08:01 AM JST - 16th June

Even if a disease movie is very well done and a masterpiece of film making I still can't see myself willingly choosing to go see it. Probably the fear of spending money just to get depressed.
borscht at 08:57 AM JST - 16th June

rjd-jr,

I must beg to disagree. A disease movie will have weeping, desperation, weeping, depression, weeping, and tearful hospital bed goodbyes with weak attempts at smiles through tears. And weeping. And 'ganbattes' galore.

Unless it turns out to be an uplifting 'we can conquer any disease' story with the happy couple moving to Okinawa to 'start our new life.' Then it will have weeping for 89 minutes and smiles for 1. Boy, am I being cynical today or what?
Zen_Builder at 09:09 AM JST - 16th June

For me the best disease movie is still the 1970 "Love Story" starring Ryan O'Neil and Ali McGraw. Soundtrack is also great.

Said that I also like "Brian's Song", "Ice Castles", "Rudy", etc.

Few movies get me to tears but "Love-Story", "Grave of Fireflies",et c do it all the time.
terebiko at 12:35 PM JST - 16th June

"Love Story" was a huge hit here in Japan too　(ある愛の詩).

Agree about "Grave of the Fireflies" too. I have to add the movie "Ikiru". That one really gets me, and it's a "disease" movie too.

I'm sure “Yomei” will be a hit. I understand about 90% of Japanese movies and TV, but I wish we could see Japanese movies with English subtitles, even if only at selected theaters. Or maybe they could release rental dvds with J and E subtitle options.