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Kuro
Kuro
Japanese name
Kanji	離れ離れに
Literal meaning	Separately
Revised Hepburn
Transcriptions
Revised Hepburn	Hanarebanareni
Directed by	Daisuke Shimote
Screenplay by	Daisuke Shimote
Story by	drama, romance
Starring	Airi Kido, Yu Satou, Hideo Nakaizumi
Cinematography	Takahiro Haibara
Edited by	Yu Nagae, Iseei Nakano,
Music by	Airi Kido, Hideo Nakaizumi
Production; company	Particle Pictures
Release date	April 26, 2012;
Running time	86 mins
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese

Kuro (はなればなれに, Hanarebanareni) is a 2012 Japanese film written and directed by Daisuke Shimote, and presented at the 25th Tokyo International Film Festival. It was Shimote's directorial debut.

Synopsis

Kuro dreamed of becoming a baker but got fired from the bakery where she worked. Eito is a photographer who broke up with his fiance. Gou is a stage producer who gets into trouble because his lead actress goes missing. These three people who have nothing in common meet by chance. They start living in a deserted hotel near the sea. In the hotel, initial indifference transforms into a growing friendship. They start getting closer while keeping some distance, enjoying a carefree life. Gou starts writing a screenplay, casting Kuro as the lead actress. Kuro is attracted to Eito, the photographer. Eito still can't get over the bitter experience of his ex-girlfriend. No one expresses their feelings.

At this time, Momo, a schoolgirl, enters the plot. Even though Momo stays for a short period, she influences their unconscious triangular relationship and strengthens their bonds. They visit the house where Kuro spent her childhood and their relationship takes a turn. Gou completes his script for Kuro and asks her to play the lead. Kuro starts getting distant from Eito. She leaves the hotel feeling disappointed, the bond between them fades away, and they get back to their old lives. However, they feel altered by this experience. Everything in their daily lives looks fresh. The experience has brought a positive change in their working style, thinking and their lives.

Characters

Kuro Ueki (20 years old)

Kuro is a cashier at a bakery. She aspires to be a baker, but the shop owner won't let a part-timer near the oven, much to her frustration. One pastry at the bakery is very popular. When Kuro helps herself to some, she gets caught and is fired. She can't pay her rent and gets loses her apartment.

Eito Suzuki (27 years old)

Eito is a freelance photographer who takes black and white photos on film. He plans to marry live-in girlfriend, Nana. On the day that they're going to make it official, a misunderstanding leads to an argument, which leads to their separation. Eito heads for the abandoned hotel where he and Nana were supposed to have their "honeymoon" weekend.

Gou Kimura (35 years old)

Gou is a stage director who is attracting attention at local playhouses. Rei, his wife, always stars in his plays. This time, however, the script is not ready for an upcoming production. His desperation leads to more strife. A known womanizer, he flirts with one of the young actresses, Kizashi. Rei gets upset and quits. Only days from the opening performance his producer puts the pressure on.

Film festival screening

2012: 25th Tokyo International Film Festival Japanese Eyes
2013: Warsaw International Film Festival Film section: Competition 1-2
2013: Haifa International Film Festival
2013: Osaka Asian Film Festival
2013: Taipei Film Festival International New Talent Competition
2013: East End Film Festival EEFF Best Feature Competition
2013: Mexico International Film Festival Bronze Palm Award
2013: Festival Internacional de Cine de Gijón

References

"Kuro, Tokyo International Film Festival, review". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
Adams, Mark (2012-10-25). "Kuro | Reviews | Screen". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
"Tokyo Film Festival Review: Kuro". Hollywood Reporter. 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
"Kuro: Tokyo Film Festival Review". Influence-film.com. 2012-10-22. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2013-05-17.