Keiko Kitagawa gets female lead in "Manatsu no Orion"

[Tokyograph News]

Actress Keiko Kitagawa has been tapped to play the female lead in Tetsuo Shinohara's new film, "Manatsu no Orion." Last month, it was revealed that Hiroshi Tamaki would star in the picture; Kitagawa will play a double role as Tamaki's love interest and the couple's present-day granddaughter.

The story is set during World War II and focuses on a naval battle between an American destroyer and a Japanese submarine, captained by a man named Kuramoto (Tamaki). Before heading off to battle, Shizuko (Kitagawa) gives him a present: the score of a song called "Manatsu no Orion." 64 years later, the pair's granddaughter happens to come across that precious score.

Kitagawa is currently involved in filming for the movie, while also shooting for the "Taiyou to Umi no Kyoushitsu" drama series on Fuji TV. "Manatsu no Orion" will open in theaters sometime in 2009.

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