We have exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the film " Sunflower on the Board " (directed by Kumazawa Naoto, currently in theaters), starring actors Kentaro Sakaguchi and Ken Watanabe . Sakaguchi, who plays the main character Keisuke, and Ken Watanabe, who plays the legendary shogi (Japanese chess) master Chongqing, are seen sporting beaming smiles that are rarely seen in the film.
This human mystery is a live-action adaptation of the novel of the same name (Chuokoron-Shinsha) by Yuzuzuki Yuko, known for works such as "The Blood of Wolves." Sakaguchi stars as Kamijo Keisuke, a genius shogi player who made the extraordinary transition from amateur to professional, while Watanabe plays Toumyo Shigeyoshi, a legendary gambling shogi master who is a top-class player but a terrible person. Tao Tsuchiya plays Miyata Natsuko, Keisuke's ex-fiancee who watches over him. Other cast members include Sasaki Kuranosuke, Takasugi Mahiro, Otoo Takuma, Watanabe Ikkei, Emoto Akira, Onoe Ukon, Kimura Tae, and Fumiyo Kohinata.
An unidentified skeleton is discovered in the mountains. A clue is found in the valuable shogi pieces found with the body. After an investigation, it is revealed that the owner of the pieces is Kamijo Keisuke, a genius shogi player who appeared like a comet in the shogi world. Furthermore, during the course of the investigation, the existence of Dongming Chongqing, a man with overwhelming skills in gambling shogi but who lived in the underworld, emerges as an important person who knows Keisuke's past... This is the story.
In the behind-the-scenes photos that have been released, Sakaguchi and Watanabe are seen smiling with genuine joy, a stark contrast to the intense scenes in the film, giving a glimpse of the harmonious atmosphere on set. On set, Sakaguchi's character Keisuke learns a certain truth and "his heart begins to cry without his consent," a scene that cannot be repeated more than once, which took about five takes, much to the director's amazement. Watanabe also suggested from the costume fitting stage, "I think Tomei should wear clothes like this," and he communicated with director Kumazawa many times before filming to create the character of Tomei.
Although this is their first time acting together, the two actors, who are of different generations and careers, face their characters with extraordinary passion and clash with each other through soulful acting, resulting in a profound human drama that deeply moves the audience. Audiences who have already seen the film have commented, "I felt that this was a work that was packed with Sakaguchi's journey as an actor," "I was moved to tears by the actors' passionate performances," "The burden the protagonist carries is so heavy and heartbreaking," "Breathtaking acting!" and "I was drawn into the story."
