Yuichi Nakamura's Project "YOKOHAMA" Hits Theaters

The first episode, "Forgery," is directed by Tomoaki Kaneko of "We Are All Alive" and stars Toshiki Kashu and Noa Tsurushima. It depicts the strange life of Noboru, whose wife left him for a lover, and Saeko, who suddenly appears with a knife.

The second episode, "The Yokohama Tribe," focuses on the wealthy Yokohama Gonzo, who, after losing his family in a fire, kidnaps people who look exactly like his family members to start a life as a "temporary tribe" in an attempt to fulfill his wish to be killed by someone who resembles his family. Starring Moku Takayama and Raychell, the episode is directed by Jun Yoriko of "COLOR CROW -Hiiro no Tsubasa-" and was created in a single continuous shot. In the third episode, "Death Mask," directed by Nakamura in his directorial debut, the story begins with the suicide of special effects artist Tadokoro, who leaves a message saying he wants to "escape from creation." Film producer Masuda suspects foul play and visits Yonemura, the owner of the special effects studio where Tadokoro used to work. The script is written by Yu Sakudo, with performances by Kenta Akiyama of "The New Prince of Tennis" musical and Joji Shibuie.

Nakamura comments, "Yokohama is a precious place for me, where I have spent all the good and tough times of my life. It was my dream to make movies in Yokohama." He adds, "These are precious works created with respected and trusted people (staff, cast, audience). I would be happy if everyone enjoys them." Other directors and cast comments are published below. The released trailer offers a glimpse into the three stories filled with love and absurdity. "YOKOHAMA" will be screened at Human Trust Cinema Shibuya, Ikebukuro Cinema Rosa, Cinemart Shinjuku, UPLINK Kichijoji, and nationwide.

Yuichi Nakamura Comment: "I have fulfilled one dream of making a movie. 'YOKOHAMA' is a collection of three short films with unique personalities, themed around 'fantasy' and set in the 'Yokohama' where I was born and raised. 'Yokohama' is a precious place for me, where I have spent all the good and tough times of my life. It was my dream to make movies in Yokohama. Another theme is 'fantasy.' Everyone may harbor some mad thoughts. Things that should not exist in reality. Movies can show the 'fantasy' of humans, and I chose it as another theme. These are precious works created with respected and trusted people (staff, cast, audience). I would be happy if everyone enjoys them."

Tomoaki Kaneko Comment: "When I first visited 'Yokohama.' There were many people close to each other, and it was a dazzling place. That brightness felt both 'empty' and 'fake.' It was like being shown a world where superficial human relationships are carelessly created. Even today, I think people are getting close, depending, and breaking in that place. I think that's what makes 'Yokohama' a place with so much drama."

Toshiki Kashu Comment: "First of all, congratulations on the release of the movie 'Forgery' (YOKOHAMA). I am grateful to have been involved as the lead actor, to the cast members I co-starred with, to the staff, and to everyone involved in this work. The film we shot in January last year participated in the first Yokohama International Film Festival and will be released nationwide this year, which is very exciting. The role I played this time harbors an inner part that I have never played before. There were difficult parts, but it was fun to play. I would be happy if the work 'Forgery' remains in the hearts of those who watched it even a little. Please enjoy it."

Noa Tsurushima Comment: "I am Noa Tsurushima, who played the role of Saeko. I am very happy that this work can be seen by customers over time. The sadness and loneliness of each person are packed in this work, and it is a work that accompanies people living in this Reiwa era in various forms. I would be happy if you could feel the kindness packed in the fragile light of a candle lit in loneliness through this work."

Jun Yoriko Comment: "The work 'The Yokohama Tribe' is a film that was realized with a trust relationship with the cast and staff, as it is one of the first few works we created with my best friend Yuichi Nakamura and our team, Paradigm Shift. The bond of family is a bond that everyone cannot cut off from themselves. When that bond of family is replaced with a temporary bond, can the family remain a family? Can a temporary tribe become a family? Does the family become a temporary tribe? People make families with others. If so, the equation family = temporary tribe might be valid. It is a work of such delusions visualized. I hope you enjoy it."

Moku Takayama Comment: "I had my first kappa hairstyle, so I have memories of being embarrassed until I got used to it. As mentioned at the beginning, this work was filmed in one cut. We only rehearsed two or three times, so I'm glad we were able to shoot safely... Such an urgent environment might have produced a tense direction. In fact, there were backstories that could not be fully depicted due to the short film, and I am looking forward to the day when it will be remade as a medium to full-length film. I am truly grateful to have been able to participate in the movie 'YOKOHAMA' and that the work can be delivered to the audience. Please enjoy the unique worldviews and flavors of 'Death Mask' and 'Forgery'."

Raychell Comment: "I am Raychell, who played the role of 821 in 'The Yokohama Tribe.' This movie is a one-cut work filmed in two days, and it is full of the seriousness and playfulness of director Jun Yoriko and the team. The more you watch it, the more addictive it becomes like dried squid. I would be happy if you could watch it many times."

Kenta Akiyama Comment: "I am Kenta Akiyama, who played the role of Yonemura in 'YOKOHAMA's' 'Death Mask.' One of the 'fantasies' is depicted in the work 'Death Mask' by director Yuichi Nakamura. Through the role of Yonemura, I experienced the crazy delusions and thoughts in my head, the tension, the sense of immorality, and the extraordinary that crosses that line. When I first received this story, I was excited and anxious about how far I could go, but the moment I entered the set and faced the shooting, I felt I understood him (Yonemura) a little. What he desires and what made him do it... Please experience this 'fantasy' together through the screen. The movie 'YOKOHAMA' is the dream of my dear big brother Yuichi Nakamura, and I am proud to have been involved in the moment of fulfilling that dream. Thank you."

Joji Shibuie Comment: I met director Yuichi Nakamura about 20 years ago. We were both fledgling actors who didn't know right from left. Since then, we have struggled and grown in our respective places, and we have both experienced many frustrating and unsuccessful things. Amidst all this, I met him again as he struggled and polished new weapons to survive in this world, and I was allowed to participate as a member of that important place for his new challenge. I have never asked him in detail about those 20 years. However, from his leadership on the set, I could feel his way of life so far and sense his further leap in the future. 'Death Mask' is a tense mystery created by Yuichi Nakamura. Please experience that tense atmosphere in the theater.

Source: Natalie