No stranger to the depiction of music in film, Love Letter & All About Lily Chou-Chou director Iwai Shunji co-wrote & produced Bandage, a drama about the Japanese music world. Originally a radio drama written by Iwai & author Kan Chika (who also wrote the novel), the film marks the directorial debut of Iwais longtime music producer Kobayashi Takeshi, who also produced the music in the film. Also making his film debut is KAT-TUNs Akanishi Jin, who plays the charismatic lead singer of a rock band during the 90s band boom. The heart of the story, however, lies in Asako, the devoted manager of the band played by rising actress/singer Kitano Kii (who also starred in the Iwai-produced Halfway). With its great creative team & hot young stars, Bandage was one of the most anticipated Japanese youth films of 2010, breaking the film studios record for the number of advance tickets sold for a live-action film.
One day, high school student Asako (Kitano Kii) is invited to go to a concert by indie band Lands. Almost immediately, she falls in love with both the band & its lead singer Natsu (Akanishi Jin). By chance, she becomes the bands manager, & she quickly discovers how little glamour there is working in the music business, despite becoming friends with Natsu. When the band decides to leave artistic integrity behind for fame, will Asakos loyalty to the band
- & Natsu
- be compromised?