Source: Toho Co., Ltd. Official Site: scoop-movie.jp (Japan)

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

Paparazzi photographer and novice reporter. A scandalous new buddy movie is born. Toho has provided press notes and high-res images from their film, SCOOP! (????!, Sukuupu!). The movie is based on the 1985 motion picture OUT OF FOCUS (?? 1?250?? OUT OF FOCUS, Tosha 250 Bunno 1 Byo/Out of Focus) written and directed by Masato Harada. INTRODUCTION SCOOP! will be actor Masaharu Fukuyama’s first foray into movies since the 2013 Cannes award-winning release, LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON (???????, Soshite Chichi ni Naru). In SCOOP! he plays Shizuka Miyakonojo, a gifted paparazzi photographer whose love of gambling has got him deep in debt. He`s supported by a notable and truly "cinematic" cast including Fumi Nikaido (WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL?, HIBI ROCK: PUKE AFRO AND THE POP STAR, WOLF GIRL & BLACK PRINCE) as the novice reporter heroine Nobi Namekawa, Yo Yoshida (KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE, TIME TRIP APP) as female deputy-chief editor Sadako Yokokawa and Lily Franky (YAKUZA APOCALYPSE, THE TOP SECRET: MURDER IN MIND) as Shizuka`s old friend and trusted source, Charagen. Writer/director Hitoshi One is Japan`s foremost hit-maker whose successful LOVE STRIKES (???, Moteki, 2011) was recognized at the 35th Japan Academy Prize and whose latest film, BAKUMAN (?????, 2015) was a big hit last year. SCOOP! marks his first collaboration with Fukuyama. Set against the background of the editorial department of a weekly photo journal, this film features a freelance photographer and a rookie reporter treading the city streets in search of a story. It`s a hard-hitting and realistic depiction of the media`s cut-throat underbelly and the growth of our lead characters` relationship as they butt heads on the road to mutual trust is intense and rewarding. The `Buddy movie` genre with its "odd couple" humor, thrilling action scenes and satisfying bonding moments have given us much memorable entertainment. Set in its own unique world, SCOOP! takes this genre to a new height.

STORY Freelance photographer Shizuka Miyakonojo, once the power behind a number of legendary news scoops is now just a member of the paparazzi, chasing after celebrity scandals and selling his photos and story-tidbits piecemeal to his former employer, SCOOP! magazine. In return for Shizuka receiving a premium rate for each piece, his editor Sadako Yokogawa demands that he team up with Nobi Namekawa, a novice reporter for the magazine. Shizuka reluctantly heads out on the hunt with the clueless young girl in tow. As the other half of this unlikely combination, Nobi is straight-laced and by-the-book so she`s soon at odds with the shifty Shizuka. Unable to understand one another, their daily conflicts soon turn into open hostility. But then, acting on a tip from Shizuka`s longtime source, Charagen, they land a story together. Their article quickly gains traction on the internet, inspiring watercooler discussions at the workplace and debates among friends. With the popularity of her first scoop, Nobi begins to get a taste for her work. And as she gets the professional bit between her teeth, Shizuka starts to take an interest in his partner and maybe even grant her a measure of respect. As work colleagues, as partners and even as man and woman, things begin to develop between the pair. And as their achievements build, so too do sales of the magazine. Then, just as everything looks to be going perfectly for the couple, an out-of-the-blue incident occurs that will drastically change their fortunes...

CREDITS Japanese Release Date: Saturday, October 1, 2016 (Nationwide Roadshow) Cast Shizuoka Miyakonojo: Masaharu Fukuyama Nobi Namekawa: Fumi Nikaido Sadako Yokokawa: Yo Yoshida Baba: Kenichi Takito Charagen: Lily Franky Shinzo Kotabe: Takumi Saito Love-chan: Ren Ishikawa Genki-kun: Shoya Sawaguchi Gravure Idol: Mari Yamachi Taga: Shinya Tsukamoto Suyama: Suzunosuke Momo Uehara: Asana Mamoru ANRI: Anri Okita Base-chan: Ryohei Abe Rui Rui: Rui Kotobuki Ryu Ishiwata: Yuki Kubota Fusho Miyajima: Shigeki Miyajima Light: Akari Hoshino Serial Killer M: ? Staff Director: Hitoshi Ohne Original Story: Masato Harada Screenplay: Hitoshi Ohne Music: Hiroshi Kawanabe Theme Song: "In a Heartless Sea" by TOKYO No.1 SOUL SET Featuring Masaharu Fukuyama on Guitar (Universal J) Production: “SCOOP!” Film Partners (TV Asahi, Amuse, Toho, Office Crescendo, Gunpowder) Distributor: Toho Co., Ltd. World Sales: Toho Co., Ltd. © 2016 “SCOOP!” Film Partners

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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) every year 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.