Source: Toho Co., Ltd., Fuji Television Official Site: good-morning-show.com (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Toho Co., Ltd. and Fuji Television have provided information and high-res photos from their new collaboration, GOOD MORNING SHOW (???????????, Guddo Mooningu Shoo). The feature film comedy opens in Japan on October 8th. INTRODUCTION

A winner at Montreal and the Japan Academy Prize, veteran director and screenwriter, Ryoichi Kimizuka, (BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN series, NOBODY TO WATCH OVER ME) brings his thorough knowledge of the television industry and experience as a teleplay writer to bear with the subject of his latest film: the morning variety show. Combining news, sports, entertainment, food fashion trends, and daily life information, the so called “morning wide show” format offers viewers a little bit of everything to jump-start their day. Serving as main host of one such show is Shingo Sumida, a former television news reporter trying to salvage his TV career. But on this especially unlucky day, he finds himself beset by a host of challenges. First, his beautiful co-host plans to announce live on the air that they’re in a romantic relationship. Then, the show’s producer informs Shingo that the show is being canceled. When news breaks about an armed man creating a hostage crisis downtown, the embattled Shingo finds himself at the center of that mess, too. His wits and sincerity, career and privacy are hanging on the cliffhanging edge between "Good Morning" and "Nightmare" in a live TV show. ? An All-Star Cast Spins Premium-Grade Comedy Entertainment In the role of Shingo Sumida is the versatile, A-list film and television actor Kiichi Nakai (PRINCESS TOYOTOMI, OWL`S CASTLE), whose résumé spans genres from comedy to serious drama and NHK historical dramas. And yet this is his first time playing a television program host. Nakai brings his prodigious talent for portraying flawed characters who struggle with mediocrity to Sumida, a former anchorman of a top news program who was forced to step down after a botched report in the field. His career is rescued by a friend and producer, who gets him on a morning show as its main host and emcee. But things aren`t going well. Sumida is ridiculed by his own family, and his delusional female co-host, Keiko Ogawa, threatens to divulge on air that the two are having an affair, having misinterpreted their relationship. Keiko is portrayed by nationally-beloved actress and multiple hit film star, Masami Nagasawa (GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS, HIDDEN FORTRESS: THE LAST PRINCESS, OUR LITTLE SISTER, your name.), who herself is playing a television broadcaster for the first time and relishes the opportunity to portray such an eccentric character. This never-before pairing of Nakai and Nagasawa promises to deliver some great onscreen repartee.

They are supported by Mirai Shida (NOBODY TO WATCH OVER ME, ARRIETTY, THE WIND RISES, YELL FOR THE BLUE SKY) as a rookie show host, Saya Miki; Saburo Tokito (HAPPY FLIGHT) as Satoshi Ishiyama, Sumida’s producer and sympathetic coeval, Yo Yoshida (KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE, TIME TRIP APP, SCOOP!) as Sumida’s wife and former television broadcaster, Gaku Hamada (ULTRAMAN GAIA: THE BATTLE IN HYPERSPACE, FISH STORY) as the armed nutcase who takes over a building, and Yutaka Matsushige (OUTRAGE BEYOND, REAL, MONSTERZ) as the special tactical forces cop charged with resolving the standoff and the hostage crisis. The film is rounded out by other great character actors, including Hiroyuki Ikeuchi, Kento Hayashi, Zen Kajihara, Haruka Kinami, and Shunsuke Daito. Director Ryoichi Kimizuka began his career as a television screenwriter, quickly rising to the top of his field and branching out to writer for landmark variety shows like KINCHAN`S KASO TAISHO. He has written many hit drama series and films over the years including the massively popular BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN franchise. Variety programs, called “wide shows”, have long been popular mainstays of Japanese television entertainment. “The Wide Show is television,” says Kimizuka. But with more and more people abandoning conventional television for online viewing, such programs are increasingly having to fight tooth-and-nail for ratings, which means that anything goes. Tiffs between producers and directors, conflicts between information programs and news reporting, inclusion of viewer voices and behind-the-scenes episodes have all become fair grist for generating higher ratings. This film spotlights the excitement and agitation of a modern-day, live television host with a sublime mixture of seriousness, satire and sympathetic affection. Kiichi Nakai, Masami Nagasawa and Ryoichi Kimizuka spin an uproariously cynical original comedy that will put a smile on your face.

SYNOPSIS Shingo Sumida is host of the GOOD MORNING SHOW. Formerly a reporter and anchor for a news program, he was forced into retirement due to public outcry after a controversial report he filed at a disaster site, an incident that has left him petrified of in-the-field reporting. His career is saved by a producer friend and colleague, Satoshi Ishiyama, who gets him the morning show gig.

On this particular day, Sumida has just left home after arguing with his wife and son at 3 in the morning -- his wake up time. In the car to work, he gets a call from his co-host, Keiko Ogawa, who presses him to announce today on air that the two are dating. She mistakenly believes that they are an item. On top of that, Sumida is informed by producer Ishiyama that the program is going to be canceled, with no part in the replacement show. Sumida is crestfallen. Just then, breaking news comes in of a man who has barricaded himself in a Tokyo cafe with weapons and explosives. The GOOD MORNING SHOW turns its full attention to covering the incident as it unfolds. To everyone’s surprise, the perpetrator demands that Sumida be sent to him. Sumida, flashing back to hise traumatic reporting experience, refuses. But his producer orders him there in compliance with police requests. Plus, it is sure to boost ratings. Sumida heads for the crime site relieved at least that the on-air confession by Keiko has been averted. On site, he is fitted with a camera, mic, and bullet-proof vest, while footage of him going to meet the armed criminal is aired live across the country. Meanwhile, back at the studio, Keiko is in control as the main host in Sumida’s stead in a position where she could say or do anything. But there is a time limit: the end of the program’s time slot. If the armed man isn’t apprehended before the show’s scheduled ending, the bomb will go off. With every second of tension that passes for Sumida, the viewer ratings rise. Nothing like this has ever happened before. A variety show host taking on an armed gunman? With all eyes of the nation on Sumida, he is the news. But will he be able to save the hostages and himself?

Ryoichi Kimizuka PROFILE Born in Tokyo, Kimizuka graduated from the Nihon University College of Art, and went to work under top comedian and television emcee, Kinichi Hagimoto, on a variety program. His very first teleplay I`M CRAZY ABOUT YOU (????????????, Zutto Anata ga Suki Datta, 1992) was a huge hit, turning a quirky character in the story, “Fuyuhiko-san”, into a household name. When Kimizuka’s mega-hit police drama BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN (??????, Odoru Daisosasen, 1997) was made into a feature film, it broke all Japanese box office records and spawned a series of more record-breaking sequels and spin-off films. Other representative writing and/or directorial works of him include: MAKOTO (???, 2005), THE SUSPECT: MUROI SHINJI (????????, Yougisha Muroi Shinji, 2005), NOBODY TO WATCH OVER ME (?????????, Dare mo Mamotte Kurenai, 2009) and REUNION (?? ????????, Ashita e no Tooka Kan, 2013). BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN THE MOVIE (?????? THE MOVIE ????????3??!, Odoru Daisosasen za Muubii Wangansho Shijoosaiaku no Mikkakan!, 1998) won a Japan Academy Prize for Best Screenplay and a Yokohama Film Festival Award for screenplay. BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN THE MOVIE 2 (?????? THE MOVIE 2 ??????????????! Odoru Daisosasen za Muubii Tsuu Reinbooburizzi o Fuusaseyo!, 2003) also won a Japan Academy Prize for Best Screenplay. BAREFOOT GEN (??????, Hadashi no Gen, 2007) won the prestigious Sugako Hashida Award, NOBODY TO WATCH OVER ME won the Montreal World Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay and was selected as Japan selection for the Academy Awards Foreign Language nomination. REUNION was an official invitee to the Montreal World Film Festival and winner of a Silver Prize at the New York Festival. Kimizuka received the Japan Film Restoration Incentive Award and serves as visiting professor at the Nihon University College of Art.

CREDITS World Premiere: Sunday, September 4, 2016 (Montreal World Film Festival) Japanese Release Date: Saturday, October 8, 2016 (Nationwide Roadshow) Running Time: 103 Minutes Cast Shingo Sumita: Kiichi Nakai Keiko Ogawa: Masami Nagasawa Saya Miki: Mirai Shida Katsuki Akiyoshi: Hiroyuki Ikeuchi Koji Matsuoka: Kento Hayashi Shuhei Tateyama: Zen Kajihara Eri Niigaki: Haruka Kinami Hayato Fukawa: Shunsuke Daito Sota Nishitani: Gaku Hamada Akemi Sumita: Yo Yoshida Tetsuto Kuroiwa: Yutaka Matsushige Satoshi Ishiyama: Saburo Tokito Staff Direction/Screenplay: Ryoichi Kimizuka Theme Song: "Wake up" by KANA-BOON (Ki/oon Music) Production: Fuji Television, Toho Co., Ltd. Production Company: FILM Distributor: Toho Co., Ltd. World Sales: Pony Canyon © 2016 Fuji Television Toho Co., Ltd.

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About Toho Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Tokyo, Toho Company, Ltd. is one of the leading entertainment conglomerates in Japan. Toho is best known worldwide as the producer of twenty-nine Godzilla motion pictures, based upon a character the company unleashed on the world back in 1954, and masterpiece films directed by Akira Kurosawa. Toho has been the number one distributor of motion pictures in Japan (both domestic and foreign) for eight consecutive years since 2003. The company is also, throughout Japan, the leading producer of theatrical works and one of the largest owners of office buildings and theaters.

About Fuji Television Network, Inc.

Fuji Television is Japan`s largest TV network company as well as the largest production house for television programs & theatrical feature films. Center company of Fujisankei Communications Group which covers media business.