Koji Yakusho, Aoi Miyazaki, and Kirin Kiki to star in “Chronicle of My Mother”

As is usually the case around this time of year, European Film Market sales materials have gotten a little ahead of the press releases for several far-off titles. Such is the case for Masato Harada’s upcoming film adaptation of Yasushi Inoue’s autobiographical novel Waga Haha no Ki. Yesterday it was officially announced in Japan that the film—which is currently being shopped around at EFM under the English title Chronicle of My Mother—will star Koshi Yakusho, Aoi Miyazaki, and Kirin Kiki.

The story is set in the 60s and is is based on Inoue’s own experiences with his mother as she aged and lost her memories. Yakusho plays an author named Kosaku Igami who has lived apart from his mother, Yae (Kiki), from a young age. When his father dies, Kosaku must handle his mother’s living arrangements. As Yae grows more senile, she struggles to hold on to fading memories of her son, as the two attempt to reconcile the complicated history of their family. Meanwhile, he receives support from his wife and three daughters (the youngest of which is played by Miyazaki).

Filming began this month and is expected to be completed in March. Shochiku plans to release the film theatrically sometime in 2012.

Sources: Tokyograph, Cinema Today

• 
  Trailer - Chronicle of My Mother (2011)
  Posted: April 30, 2012
• 
  Teaser - Chronicle of My Mother (2011) [English-subtitled]
  Posted: April 30, 2012
• 
  Teaser - Mt. Tsurugidake (2009)
  Posted: November 5, 2008
• 
  Teaser - Mt. Tsurugidake (2009)
  Posted: February 8, 2008
• 
  Review: Bounce Ko Gals
  Posted: August 2, 2006