Odagiri's first movie invited to Rotterdam

[Tokyograph News]

Joe Odagiri's directorial debut, "Sakura na Hitotachi" (also known as "Looking for Cherry Blossoms"), has received an invitation for a special screening at this year's International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Despite his busy schedule as an actor, Odagiri has managed to complete the movie over the last three years. Filming started in the summer of 2006, and Odagiri finished post-production just this past November. In addition to directing, Odagiri handled the script, cinematography, editing, and music. Although he has created short films in the past as a hobby, "Sakura na Hitotachi" is his first full-length work.

The movie portrays three men who go on a trip in search of a group of cherry trees. It stars comedian Junichi Komoto, who is also a friend and former classmate of Odagiri.

The film festival runs from January 21 to February 1. "Sakura na Hitotachi" will screen on the 26th. Other films showing at the festival include Takeshi Kitano's "Achilles to Kame" and Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Tokyo Sonata."

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