On February 3rd, Daiki Shigeoka of the popular idol group "WEST." attended the premiere screening of the film "35th Year Love Letter" (directed by Renpei Tsukamoto, to be released on March 7th) along with lead actor Tsurube Shofutei and others.
The film is based on the true story of a couple that was introduced in the Asahi Shimbun in 2003, and was featured on television and in magazines, and even became a creative rakugo story, inspiring many people. The story follows Nishihata Tamotsu (played by Shofutei Tsurube), a husband who was born during wartime and grew up unable to read or write, who attends night school in order to convey his gratitude to his beloved wife Kyoko (played by Harada Tomoyo) in letters. Shigeoka plays Tamotsu as a young man.
At the beginning, in the middle of Shigeoka's greeting, Tsurube, who was next to him, took off his glasses and made a serious face, to which Shigeoka immediately replied, "You're making it look like me, right?" Tsurube apologized, saying, "I'm sorry," and their well-coordinated exchange drew laughter from the audience.
Regarding the casting of Shigeoka to play the younger version of the character, Tsurube said, "I don't look like that (laughs)." Meanwhile, Shigeoka said frankly, "People who have seen the movie say I look like him. I'm half happy and half confused (laughs)."
Harada, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ken Yasuda Ken, Kuwabata Rie, and director Tsukamoto also appeared at the preview screening.
