Part of the 2017 season: Odd Obsessions

Somebody’s Xylophone

Director Yoichi Higashi

Cast Starring: Takako Tokiwa, Sosuke Ikematsu, Aimi Satsukawa

2016, 112 min, English subtitles

だれかの木琴 (Dareka no Mokkin)

UK Premiere

Seemingly happy middle-aged housewife Sayoko (Takako Tokiwa) is blessed with a kind salaryman husband and a sweet-natured daughter. Yet, somehow, Sayoko finds herself becoming hopelessly infatuated with her young hairdresser Kaito (Sosuke Ikematsu), an interest that rapidly spirals out of control.

This latest film by legendary director Yoichi Higashi (The River with No Bridge, No More Easy Life) delves deep into the mind of an ordinary woman who acts upon her hidden desires. Scripted by Higashi and based on the novel by Areno Inoue, this film defies all expectations to reveal the complexity of longing.

優しい夫と可愛い娘に恵まれた小夜子は、念願の一軒家にも引っ越した幸せな主婦。だが、近所で見つけた美容院で担当となった若い美容師、海斗に出会ったことで、何かが変わってしまう。ふとした心の隙間に入ってきた彼に心を囚われた小夜子は、次第に海斗に対する異常なまでの執着を示すようになる。原作は2008年に「切羽へ」で第139回直木賞を受賞した、井上荒野の同名小説。

監督: 東陽一
出演: 常盤貴子、池松壮亮、佐津川愛美

Distributor: Kino Films

Past screenings