Fish Story (2009)

Several seemingly unrelated but surprisingly connected tales explain how a Japanese band that independently invented punk rock in 1975 will, 37 years later, ultimately save the world from destruction by comet.

Director:

Yoshihiro Nakamura

Writers:

Kôtarô Isaka (based upon the novel), Tamio Hayashi (screenplay)

Stars:

Atsushi Itô, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Noriko Eguchi

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Atsushi Itô	...	Shigeki
Kiyohiko Shibukawa	...	Tetsuya
Noriko Eguchi	...	Namiko
Hidekazu Mashima	...	Tani
Gaku Hamada	...	Masashi
Takashi Yamanaka	...	Kentaro
Kazuki Namioka	...	Satoru
Kenjirô Ishimaru	...	Taniguchi
Mikako Tabe	...	Asami
Mirai Moriyama	...	Champion Of Justice
Nao Ohmori	...	Okazaki (as Nao Ômori)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vincent Giry	...	Astronaut
Seiko Iwaidô	...	Haruko (as Mai Takahashi)
Reiko Kusamura	...	Woman (elderly couple)
Kengo Kôra	...	The Singer

Storyline

In the year 2012 a comet approaches earth, threatening to end civilization when it impacts. On the streets of Japan, a single music store remains open, its proprietor insisting to his customers that the world is not coming to an end. He plays a forgotten song recorded by an obscure band 37 years ago, and insists that somehow, this song will save the world. A series of short stories spans the years from the recording of the song in 1975 to the modern day, and shows how--in roundabout fashion--the man in the music store is absolutely right.

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Plot Keywords:

band | man smoking | shorthaired woman | song | japan | 

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Music | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

20 March 2009 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Fish Story

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,640

Company Credits

Production Co:

CJ Entertainment, Amuse Soft Entertainment, Dub

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song 'Fish Story' is an improvisation on the key riff in the song 'New Rose' by The Damned. This was the first 'punk' single released in the UK. The film sets the recording of 'Fish Story' in 1975. 'New Rose' was released in October 1976.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

User Reviews

"Fish Story" - Intertwining stories over the course of 60 years

Smart and witty movie about how a forgotten punk rock song (with a mystery within the song) links the lives of several characters who mostly never meet each other. The elements include, of course, a failed punk rock band in the late 1970's, a meek college student in the 1980's, a doomsday cult in 1999, a ferry hijacking in 2009, and a trio of people in a used record shop in a deserted city awaiting a comet strike in 2012. Plus some flashbacks to post WW2 Japan. Much of the movie revolves around the idea of a "champion of justice"

The movie is paced with a natural style so despite the sci-fi aspect the whole film is very low key. Virtually no special effects. That's not to say that there are no hidden pleasures, especially during the ferry hijacking which has excellent action scenes. The film is well-shot, well-acted and well-written. The music is good as well.

An unexpected little gem.