Wrestler Inoki gets first starring movie role

[Tokyograph News]

Former pro wrestler Antonio Inoki will star in his first movie. The film is titled "Acacia no Hana ga Sakidasu Koro," written and directed by author/musician/director Hitonari Tsuji.

Inoki plays a former wrestler, like himself. His character is long past his glory days, now living alone and separated from his family. He meets an elementary school student named Takuro (Ryoga Hayashi), who is being bullied and won't open up to anyone. However, their encounter brings them together and they form a bond.

Tsuji and Inoki apparently met by chance last fall at a Tokyo hotel, where Tsuji was working on the concept for his film. The director, who had long been a fan of Inoki and wrestling in general, immediately decided to give Inoki the starring role. While the wrestler has previous acting experience, this is his first time playing the lead in a movie.

The two are aiming to bring "Acacia" to the film festivals in Cannes, Berlin, and Venice next year. Filming is scheduled to take place entirely in Hakodate, starting in late June, with a target release date of next spring. Other cast members include Eri Ishida as Inoki's estranged wife and Kazuki Kitamura as Takuro's father.

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