Again (2013 Japanese Film)

Again (Japanese: ゆるせない、逢いたい; Romaji: Yurusenai Aitai) is a 2013 Japanese drama film written and directed by Junichi Kanai. The film explores the complex emotional dynamics between two young individuals whose relationship takes a dark and traumatic turn.

Poster for the film Again — Promotional poster for the film Again.

Plot

The story follows Hatsumi Kinoshita (Aoi Yoshikura), a high school student living with her mother following the death of her father. She enters a relationship with Ryutaro (Yuya Yagira), an 18-year-old worker at a waste paper collection facility. Their romance is disrupted when a misunderstanding leads Ryutaro to believe that Hatsumi has rejected him. Upon their subsequent encounter, Ryutaro experiences an emotional breakdown, resulting in a violent incident that forces Hatsumi to grapple with conflicting feelings and make a life-altering decision.

Cast

The film features the following primary cast members:

Aoi Yoshikura as Hatsumi Kinoshita
Yuya Yagira as Ryutaro
Mayumi Asaka as Keiko Kinoshita
Dankan as a police officer
Yuko Araki as Mari
Fukiko Hara

Aoi Yoshikura, who plays the role of Hatsumi Kinoshita.

Yuya Yagira, who plays the role of Ryutaro.

Release and Festivals

Again was released in Japan on November 16, 2013. The film was presented at several international film festivals, including the 18th Busan International Film Festival in October 2013, where it held its world premiere in the New Currents section. It was also featured in the competition lineup at the 13th Marrakech International Film Festival in late 2013.