Movie "Like a Dove, Like a Snake: The Setting Sun"

A work commemorating the 75th anniversary of the writing of Dazai Osamu's "Shayo"
"Like a dove, like a snake, the setting sun"

This exhibition commemorates the 75th anniversary of the writing of Dazai Osamu's masterpiece "Shayo," which was published in 1947 and became a huge bestseller, leading to the term "Shayo-zoku" becoming a popular catchphrase.Like a dove, like a snake, the setting sun" has been completed. Miyamoto Mayu plays the heroine Kazuko, and Ando Masanobu plays the popular author she falls in love with, and the story is a "story of love and revolution" set in post-war Japan. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Yamanashi YBS Group, "Like a dove, like a snake, the setting sunThe film will be released in advance at TOHO Cinemas Kofu and Theater Central Be on Friday, October 28th, and will be released nationwide at TOHO Cinemas Nihonbashi and other theaters on Friday, November 4th.

Here are some impressions from a student newspaper intern. Everyone, please come to the theater!

Having read the book before, I was excited to see how it would be adapted for the screen. While the story, as a whole, depicts the tragedy of a family gradually falling into decline as times change after the war, I left the film feeling somehow refreshed and inspired to make life choices. The film's theme, "Like a Dove, Like a Snake," and Dazai Osamu's worldview were faithfully recreated through the director's brilliant direction and the actors' brilliant performances. I was particularly moved by the choices made by each of the characters, including the protagonist Kazuko, her mother, her brother Naoji, and the writer Uehara Jiro. I think viewers will empathize with and feel differently about the characters, so while it's fine to watch it alone, I'm sure it's also interesting to see it with someone and discuss your impressions, as it will open up new perspectives.

Akane Isa, 4th year student at Toyo University

I had read the original novel, but seeing it turned into a movie felt natural at all. In fact, the beautiful images and music combined with the story helped me to immerse myself deeply in the film. The fact that the main character, Kazuko, narrated the story herself also made it feel even more real.
The story unfolds between a villa in Izu and Tokyo, with the train in the background symbolizing the devastated post-war world. Modeled after a family of fallen aristocrats, each character shows a different way of life, but Kazuko, who overcomes the death of someone close to her and lives on "for love and revolution," is particularly striking. This character's straightforward determination to live her life seems to ask us what we live for in this modern age. And when I finished watching, I was left with a vague, unsettled feeling, as if I had spent days reading a piece of literature.

Koji Ishida, 3rd year Nihon University

I felt that the main character, Kazuko, inherited many traits from her mother, who was considered aristocratic and died beautifully without bearing any grudges or causing any trouble to anyone. Her innocence, in particular, is always willing to see people's true nature, rather than believing only in visible things like titles. This is also evident in her preference for honest people like Uehara, a notorious but honest writer, over people who are superficially good-looking, like con artists. I felt that she was also portrayed as a comparison with her younger brother, who regretted being born into aristocracy and dreamed of blending into the secular world like Uehara, and Uehara, who had a distorted view of aristocracy. Kazuko's strong will and conviction were also evident in her determination to ensure that Uehara's wife and children would not be inconvenienced because of her love for him.
Perhaps the reason Kazuko has been able to live such a strong and resilient life is because she accepts the ugly and dirty parts of humanity. I believe humans are creatures who are easily influenced by visible things such as public reputation and titles, and lose sight of their true essence. However, I believe that a beauty of heart like Kazuko's, who can accept not only the beautiful but also the ugly parts of herself and others, and look them squarely in the eye, is necessary in any era.

Ayako Miyata, 4th year student at Tsuda University

Shayo tells the story of Kazuko Shimazaki, played by Miyamoto Mayu, a fallen aristocrat who, after the war, is forced to move with her mother, Miyako, from their luxurious Tokyo mansion to a house in the mountains of Izu, where she is forced to live a very different life from what she had before. Life after downfall is extremely difficult, and the film's emotional impact is deeply felt, perfectly capturing the essence of humanity. The story follows the life of Kazuko's younger brother, Naoji, who returns from the harsh battlefield; the clumsy writer Uehara, who no longer understands the emotion of love; and Kazuko, who remains in love with Uehara despite learning of his sloppy lifestyle. The common thread between these two lives is regret. The film faithfully depicts the ambiguous and selfish dynamics of emotion, creating a worldview that makes you feel as if you are part of the film. Furthermore, director Kondo Akio's innovative and honest interpretation, skillfully portraying the complex web of emotions in live-action, will transport viewers to the world of Shayo. At first glance, the story may seem unrealistic, but upon closer consideration, it is a deeply profound work. Please watch it.

Rikkyo University, 4th year student, Sudo Kakuto

"Like a Dove, Like a Snake, The Setting Sun" is a work commemorating the 75th anniversary of the writing of Dazai Osamu's "The Setting Sun"

Mayu Miyamoto / Masanobu Ando, ​​Maki Mizuno, So Okuno
Ken Tanaka, Naomi Hosokawa, Keiko Shirasu, Hiroshi Mikami, Shuji Kashiwara, Hisako Manda, Akira Emoto
Uesugi Ozaki, Shun Sugata, Hisashi Okabe, Taro Nakatani, Miho Ogata, Shuho Miki　
Atsuko Okamoto, Sayaka Kurihara, Tomoko Imaizumi, Kyoko Shiraishi, Masami Sonoda, Eri Mitsufuji　
Yuno Yamamura, Kosaburo Nozaki, Jonagold / Shota Shunputei

Original story: Osamu Dazai Director: Akio Kondo Screenplay: Yoshio Shirasaka, Yasuzo Masumura, Akio Kondo Produced by: Eiichi Noguchi
Producers: Yoshiyuki Adachi, Yoji Ishidoya, Takeshi Ichikawa, Tomoko Imaizumi, Masaki Uemura, Keitaro Obama, Ryuichi Kurihara, Kogoro Nozaki, Takaaki Yamamura
Music: Masatoshi Uminuma Theme song: Kei Ogura "Lapis Lazuli no Namida" (Lyrics, composition, and vocals)
Filming support cooperation: Aomori Prefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture, Goshogawara City, Tsugaru City, Hirosaki City, Kofu City, Yamanashi City, Tsuru City, Mitaka City

2022 / Japan / Japanese / Color / American Vista / 5.1ch / 109 min / Distributor: Aya Productions Eirin G
©2022 "Like a Dove, Like a Snake, Setting Sun" Production Committee (Office Kondo, Upside, Jisshoji, Space T, Partona, Harmony, Rising Cinema, Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun, Yamanashi Broadcasting System)