It has been revealed that actress Haruka Ayase will star in the film "First Voice - Our Ace Attorney -" (releasing October 2nd). The story is inspired by the true story of lawyers who faced Japan's first harassment trial, and a visual of Ayase, who plays the lead lawyer, dressed in a red bodycon dress has also been released.
The story is set in 1989, the height of the bubble economy. Asahi Michiko (Ayase) is a kind-hearted lawyer who only takes on cases that don't bring in any money. One day, a woman named Megumi (First Summer Uika) comes to Asahi wanting to sue her company and boss for unfair harassment at work. However, it is an unprecedented "harassment" trial that no one has ever fought before. Rookie lawyer Shiori (Matsumoto Honoka) objects, saying there is "no chance of winning," but Asahi stands up, saying "this trial will definitely lead to the future"... The story is a legal entertainment that reunites director Maeda Tetsu and screenwriter Hiroshi Hashimoto, who previously collaborated on the film "And Then the Baton Was Passed."
◇Comment from Haruka Ayase
Through my work and the roles I play, I always hope to make tomorrow a little brighter, or to bring energy and courage to others. I felt the same way when I read the script for "First Voice." And when I heard that it was a story inspired by a true story, I wanted to share it with as many people as possible.
First Summer Uika, who fights alongside me in the story, is a person with a strong will and beliefs, and I felt that her charm overlapped with the character she played. The other female cast members were also very unique and I felt a lot of energy from them.
Director Maeda was always considerate of those around him, telling jokes to lighten the mood on set. And once the actors started chatting freely, he would then take charge, saying, "Okay, let's start filming!" He was a very energetic person. I think it was a set full of warmth and energy.
"First Voice" tells the story of people who questioned conventional wisdom and acted on their own beliefs. I hope this film will give viewers the courage and strength to take a step forward.
◇First Summer Uika
Reading the script, I was surprised to realize that these were still the values prevalent around 1990, the year I was born. Before filming began, I attended court hearings and spoke with those involved, approaching this story, which was born from their "first voices," with respect.
It is a great honor to be able to participate in the Maeda team again, alongside Ms. Ayase, Ms. Matsumoto, and all the other wonderful cast members.
How did these women move society and people's hearts in an era without the internet or smartphones? Especially now, with values constantly changing, this is a film I want people of all generations to see.
I hope you'll pay attention to the scenery, fashion, and the meticulous attention to detail in creating the era, so please see it on the big screen!
◇Honoka Matsumoto
In this project, I played Shiori Fujino, a rookie lawyer working under Ms. Asahi, played by Haruka Ayase.
I believe Professor Asahi's way of thinking and living will resonate with many people. It's okay to have many different colors and many different forms. Before being a man or a woman, we are all human beings, and I hope that each person who watches this film will be inspired to cherish the individual once again, realizing that our dignity should be protected.
◇Director Tetsuya Maeda
In this day and age, there are fewer and fewer things that make us feel excited and thrilled, but making this film with Haruka Ayase was an exciting and stimulating experience. With the best teamwork I could have had with my co-stars First Summer Uika and Honoka Matsumoto, I feel that we have created a film that will bring energy and courage to the audience.
Speaking up first requires immense courage. Listening to those small voices that might otherwise be drowned out by the noise of society, and taking action, requires even more courage and energy. Please look forward to the stories of those who listened to those small voices and fought alongside them.
◇Producers: Yumiko Miwa, Kaori Sakano, Yoichi Arishige
We first encountered the true story that inspired this film in 2018. We were deeply intrigued by the fact that such a passionate human drama lay behind the establishment of the term "harassment" in Japanese society. It was an unprecedented lawsuit filed against the enormous wall of "common sense" at the time, for the sake of the future. Our deep gratitude to those who paved the way for us, allowing us to work as we do today, is a major driving force behind this film adaptation.
Under the direction of Tetsuya Maeda, Haruka Ayase gave a deeply human performance as the protagonist, who possesses both the capacity to empathize with others' pain and the brightness to gently illuminate those around her. First Summer Uika embodied the strength and fragility of a woman who tries to move forward despite being hurt, and Honoka Matsumoto delicately portrayed the emotional changes from a perspective close to that of a modern audience. This is a story that only these three could have created.
There may be moments when you feel that your own individual power is small and insignificant. However, it is because of the people who raised their voices in that era that we have what we have today. And now, those who raise their voices will create the future. I hope you can feel that chain reaction on screen.
