Co-starring in the film "Kaede": Lovers facing a sad fate

It has been revealed that actors Sota Fukushi and Haruka Fukuhara will star in "Kaede" (directed by Isao Yukisada, set to be released on December 19th), a film adaptation of the hit song by the popular band Spitz. The two will play lovers facing a tragic fate.

"Kaede" is a track from the eighth album, "Fake Fur," released in 1998, and was released as a single from the album in the same year. The lyrics of the chorus, "Goodbye, I'll walk holding your voice," are widely known, and the song has been covered by many artists, including Yumi Matsutoya and Moka Kamishiraishi.

The film that the song is based on is a love story directed by Yukisada and written by Takahashi Izumi, who also worked on "Solanin" and "Tokyo Revengers." Ryo, played by Fukushi Aoi, is a kind and tolerant character who cares for his beloved lover more than himself, even though he is at the mercy of fate. Ako, played by Fukuhara, is a woman who has lost someone important to her and is carrying a sense of loss, but tries to live each day positively.

The trailer (music version) and teaser visual have also been released. The video shows the happy daily life of Ryo and Ako, including a conversation in which the two say, "This is our Kaede," as they travel together in New Zealand. There are also meaningful scenes, such as Ako crying with her smartphone in hand and one hand gently embracing the hand of someone lying down. The teaser visual shows Ryo and Ako smiling fondly at each other and gazing in the same direction, with Lake Tekapo in New Zealand, where the filming took place, in the background, along with the sad phrase from "Kaede" - "Goodbye, I'll walk away holding your voice in my arms."

◇Comment from Sota Fukushi

Spitz is a band that continues to be loved by people of all generations, and many of their songs are themed around love, so this story, born from "Kaede," also depicts universal affection and love. "Kaede" is a wonderful song and one of my favorites, and when I heard (after receiving the offer) that the script was based on this song, I read the script and then looked at the lyrics again, and I was able to absorb a variety of emotions, and once again felt that it is a wonderful song. I infused the feelings contained in this song into the work, and acted in a way that would make it an even better film. It's been a while since I've made a romance film, and Director Yukisada has said, "I love romance films that depict the human heart," and this film depicts universal, fundamental emotions, which I really relate to.

◇Comment from Haruka Fukuhara

"Kaede" was released the year I was born, so I feel a connection to it. I've been listening to Spitz ever since I was little, and when I listen to their songs during difficult or sad times, they always have the kind of gentle embrace that wraps me up. The lyrics of "Kaede" also take on different meanings as I listen to them as I get older, and I felt different emotions at different times, which is similar to this film. When I read the script, my heart was moved like a roller coaster, and I had a feeling that the wonderful music of "Kaede" would intertwine with the worldview of this film and make it a truly great piece. At the same time, it was difficult to fully understand "the actions taken because one cares about and loves the other person so much," but I had many conversations with Director Yukisada and we were able to create this film together.