Newport Beach Film Festival 2009

This tragic comedy about destiny gives a whimsical twist to how one of cinema’s most memorable films was constructed. Nanshu is a poor man with a big heart just looking for a chance to break into the booming field of Japanese cinema during the 1950s. After years of persistence and many failures, he finally gets the chance of a lifetime: a lead role as a samurai in one of Japan’s most famous director’s new film. Nanshu is certain this role will make him one of the greatest actors in the history of Japan. What Nanshu doesn’t plan for is the director’s sudden change to the script in which one samurai must be cut. Before shooting ever begins, Nanshu is fired. The next morning he confronts the director, and what happens surprises everyone –even Nanshu.