Crying Out Love in the Center of the World (2004)
"Sekai no chûshin de, ai o sakebu" (original title)

While searching for his fiancee Ritsuko, Sakutarou rediscovers through flashbacks the void deep within him caused by the events from his high school days.

Director:

Isao Yukisada

Writers:

Kyouichi Katayama (novel), Yûji Sakamoto (screenplay),

Stars:

Takao Osawa, Kô Shibasaki, Masami Nagasawa

10 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Takao Osawa	...	Sakutaro Matsumoto
Kô Shibasaki	...	Ritsuko Fujimura
Masami Nagasawa	...	Aki Hirose
Mirai Moriyama	...	Sakutaro Matsumoto (High School)
Tsutomu Yamazaki	...	Shigezou Matsumoto
Kankurô Kudô	...	Ryunosuke Ooki
Kanji Tsuda	...	Johnny
Issei Takahashi	...	Ryunosuke (high school student)
Rio Kanno	...	Ritsuko (girl)
Tetta Sugimoto	...	Aki's Father
Katsutaka Furuhata	...	Johnny (high school)
Kenta Uchino	...	Classmate
Aki Nishihara	...	Classmate
Masaru Miyazaki	...	Classmate
Marie Kawaguchi	...	Classmate

Storyline

In 1980s Kyushu, two teenagers fell in love, and exchanged their secrets and thoughts by way of sending tape recordings to each other. More than a decade later, the boy (now grown-up and bittered) rediscovers the last recording of his long-dead lover's voice. Her words trigger a series of flashbacks illustrating the joyful beginning and tragic end of their relationship.

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Plot Keywords:

flashback | fiancee | love | memory | nostalgia | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [jp]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

8 May 2004 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Crying Out Love in the Center of the World

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), Hakuhodo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sekai no Chushin de, Ai wo Sakebu, a Japanese romance novel by Katayama Kyoichi, sold over 3 million copies in Japan alone.

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Connections

References Roman Holiday (1953)

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Soundtracks

"Hitomi wo Tojite"
Performed by Ken Hirai

User Reviews

Very moving and touching

I've just seen this film yesterday at the University. As a very serious movie fan, I didn't expect anything of the film. Especially, being a typical male and the kind of person who is not too keen into romance movies. However, I was carried away after the first 15 minutes. I've been very busy lately with work but I still couldn't stop thinking about the storyline as I consistently found myself analysing the feelings and emotions from the perspectives of the people who are involved in the story. The philosophical statements in the film have also enforced a huge impact on my mind. They significantly play very important part in the story. I do not want give any more details but I strongly believe that this film should be seen by all movie goers.