Singapore International Film Festival 2018
Asako I & II
Language
Japanese - subtitles to be advised
Director
Ryūsuke Hamaguchi
Cast
Masahiro Higashide, Erika Karata
Synopsis
Adapted from a novel by Tomoka Shibasaki, this is a tale of mirror-image obsession. Asako, a demure college student, falls hard and fast for the free-spirited Baku. Despite warnings from her friends about his heartbreaker reputation, she becomes intoxicated with him. Then Baku abandons Asako without warning or explanation.
Two years later, Asako is astonished to meet Ryôhei, a dull salaryman who is the mirror-image of Baku. Mesmerised by the resemblance, she embarks on a safe, if sterile, relationship with him that lasts over five years. But when Baku, now a successful actor and model, crashes unexpectedly back into Asako’s life, she finds herself torn between the two men, and contemplating risking everything to resolve past grievances.