Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Protégé Unveils Polyamorous Romantic Drama ‘Between Two Lovers’

Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Japanese director Nanako Hirose, who trained under Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda at his Tokyo-based film collective Bunbuku Inc., has unveiled her second feature, Between Two Lovers , a romantic drama centered on a married woman who pursues a simultaneous relationship with a female lover — and proposes that all three live together. The film is set for release in Japan on Nov. 27. The film stars Masami Nagasawa ( Our Little Sister ) as Uta, a picture book creator described by the filmmakers as “selfish, cunning — yet utterly lovable.” Tasuku Emoto ( Kobikicho no Adauchi ) plays her husband Morio, an attentive and domestic man torn between his wife’s wishes and traditional family values, while Shizuka Ishibashi — who is set to headline the NHK Morning Drama Series Blossom this fall — takes on the role of Junna, Uta’s lover and editor. Related Stories TV Filming on 'Tomb Raider' Paused After Star Sophie Turner Suffers "Minor Injury" Business Global Streaming Subscription Revenue Tripled In Five Years, Poised to Top $200 Billion by 2030 Hirose says the film “was born from the idea that there should be more diverse forms of family in the world.” She says the premise first came to her during the pandemic and she has spent the years since developing and writing the screenplay. Nagasawa, who recently won the best actress prize at the 49th Japan Academy Awards for Dollhouse , says of her character: “Within Uta-chan’s seemingly conflicted actions lie a mix of ideals, reality, and a sense of justice. Even so, her honesty and authenticity continue to draw people in.” Emoto described the project as “a story about love, brought to life by characters who are clumsy, yet full of longing.” Ishibashi called her character “clumsy and prickly like a hedg...