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Lunch Box (film)
Encyclopedia
aka is a 2004
Japan
ese Pink film directed by Shinji Imaoka
. It was chosen as Best Film of the year at the Pink Grand Prix
ceremony.
. Besides the "Best Film" prize, Shinji Imaoka
was given the "Best Director" title, and Yumika Hayashi
was judged "Best Actress", and Lemon Hanazawa
"Best New Actress" for their work in the film.
Anglophone Pink film scholar Jasper Sharp notes that Lunchbox differs from the standard pink film in several technical aspects: The sex scenes are not simulated, the sound recording is live, not post-synced, and Imaoka chose to shoot on 16mm rather than 35mm film. Other than these points, Sharp judges the film typical of director Imaoka's work, which is known for its understatement in portraying relationships among characters on the outskirts of society. Of Lunchbox, he writes, "The intensity of the love scenes and the tenderness of the performances make this work especially one of considerable potency."
Typical of modern Pink films, the film has been given various titles in various releases.
Originally release theatrically as Lunchbox ("Obento") or Mature Woman: Rutting Ball-Play, on April 2, 2005 the film was released in Japan on DVD under the title Tamamono or "Bowling Ball". The film was also released on DVD in the UK by Salvation. The film has also been seen in international film festivals such as the fourth "Nippon Connection" in Frankfurt in 2004, and the Jeonju International Film Festival
in South Korea.
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Pink film directed by Shinji Imaoka
Shinji Imaoka
aka is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and actor. He is one of a group of pink film directors of the 2000s known collectively as the .-Life and career:...
. It was chosen as Best Film of the year at the Pink Grand Prix
Pink Grand Prix
The or is an annual Japanese film award ceremony which recognizes excellence in the pink film. Known as the "Academy Awards of the Pink Film", the ceremony attracts a diverse audience of industry personnel, film scholars and the general public....
ceremony.
Synopsis
The film tells the story of Aiko, a 35-year-old mute woman who works in a bowling alley, and her brief romance with Yoshioka, a younger man who works as a postal carrier. The two meet when Aiko accidentally knocks Yoshioka off his bicycle, and they have a sexual encounter soon after. Aiko begins preparing lunchboxes and giving them to Yoshioka at his workplace as a way of expressing affection, which she cannot do verbally. The film ends in tragedy after Yoshioka leaves Aiko.Cast
- Yumika HayashiYumika Hayashiwas a Japanese AV idol and pink film actress. She earned the title of "Japan's Original Adult Video Queen" during a 16-year career in which she starred in nearly 200 AVs and appeared in over 180 films...
: Aiko Fukui - Mutsuo Yoshioka: Yoshio Kawada
- Lemon Hanazawa: Ikumi Kato
- Kiyomi ItōKiyomi Itōis a Japanese actress best known for her performances in pink films. She was given Best Actress awards at the Pink Grand Prix for her work in this genre in 1990, 1992 and 1994.- Life and career :...
: Keiko Chiba - Takeshi Itō: Ishimoto
- Yōta Kawase: Arima
- Kazunori Sakurai: Matsuo
- Hiroshi Satō: Bowling king
Critical reception
The Pink film community awarded Lunchbox top honors at the 2004 Pink Grand PrixPink Grand Prix
The or is an annual Japanese film award ceremony which recognizes excellence in the pink film. Known as the "Academy Awards of the Pink Film", the ceremony attracts a diverse audience of industry personnel, film scholars and the general public....
. Besides the "Best Film" prize, Shinji Imaoka
Shinji Imaoka
aka is a Japanese film director, screenwriter, and actor. He is one of a group of pink film directors of the 2000s known collectively as the .-Life and career:...
was given the "Best Director" title, and Yumika Hayashi
Yumika Hayashi
was a Japanese AV idol and pink film actress. She earned the title of "Japan's Original Adult Video Queen" during a 16-year career in which she starred in nearly 200 AVs and appeared in over 180 films...
was judged "Best Actress", and Lemon Hanazawa
Lemon Hanazawa
, aka Remon Hanazawa, is a Japanese pink film and AV actress. She has appeared in award-winning pink films such as Lunch Box and Molester's Train: Sensitive Fingers . She was named "Best New Actress" for her work in this genre in 2004, and "Best Actress" second place in 2005 at the Pink Grand Prix...
"Best New Actress" for their work in the film.
Anglophone Pink film scholar Jasper Sharp notes that Lunchbox differs from the standard pink film in several technical aspects: The sex scenes are not simulated, the sound recording is live, not post-synced, and Imaoka chose to shoot on 16mm rather than 35mm film. Other than these points, Sharp judges the film typical of director Imaoka's work, which is known for its understatement in portraying relationships among characters on the outskirts of society. Of Lunchbox, he writes, "The intensity of the love scenes and the tenderness of the performances make this work especially one of considerable potency."
Availability
Originally release theatrically as Lunchbox ("Obento") or Mature Woman: Rutting Ball-Play, on April 2, 2005 the film was released in Japan on DVD under the title Tamamono or "Bowling Ball". The film was also released on DVD in the UK by Salvation. The film has also been seen in international film festivals such as the fourth "Nippon Connection" in Frankfurt in 2004, and the Jeonju International Film Festival
Jeonju International Film Festival
The Jeonju International Film Festival has been held annually since 2000 in Jeonju, South Korea, focusing on digital, independent and art films.-2000:*April 28-May 4: 184 films from 21 countries...
in South Korea.