Teaser for Japanese movie Dearest (あなたへ, Anata e), directed by Yasuo Furuhata and stars iconic actor Ken Takakura. In theatres August 2012.
The story follows a man’s journey to his wife’s hometown in order to scatter her ashes into the sea. He travels through many famous locations, recalling his memories with his wife along the way. He also meets and makes new friends.
Furuhata and Takakura have joined hands a few times. Two of their previous works had won the Best Film at the Japanese Academy Prize, i.e. Eki Station in 1981 and Poppoya in 1999. Will it be lucky number three?
Supporting cast in Anata e includes Yuko Tanaka, Koichi Sato, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Kimiko Yo, Haruka Ayase, Takahiro Miura, Hideji Otaki, Kyozo Nagatsuka, Mieko Harada, Tadanobu Asano and Kitano Takeshi.
Ken Takakura
Takakura is a Japanese actor and singer who appeared in over 200 films. He won the Japan Academy Prize four times, more than any other actor.
He’s one of the few Japanese stars who is popular and respected in China. And he has appeared in some Hollywood productions too when he was younger.
He only starred in three movies since 2000 though. Anata e is his first in over six years. That’s probably because of age and health, he’s 81 this year.
Updates
Hideji Otaki, who played the old boat owner, died a few months after the film’s release, aged 87. He appeared in over 140 movies and TV series.
Anata e won two awards at the 36th Japanese Academy Prize, including Best Supporting Actor for Otaki, and Best Supporting Actress for Kimiko Yo.
Ken Takakura passed away in November 2014, aged 83. Anata e was his last film.