Star Watching Dog (2011 Film)
Star Watching Dog (Japanese: 星守る犬, Romaji: Hoshi Mamoru Inu) is a 2011 Japanese drama film directed by Tomoyuki Takimoto. The screenplay was written by Hiroshi Hashimoto, based on the manga series of the same name by Takashi Murakami, which was first published in 2008 and serialized in Manga Action.
Plot
The narrative begins with the discovery of an unidentified middle-aged man (Toshiyuki Nishida) found deceased in his car near a mountain camping ground in Hokkaido. Beside him lies his loyal Akita, which had survived for approximately six months after the man's death. With no identification present, city official Kyousuke Okutsu (Tetsuji Tamayama) is tasked with uncovering the man's identity to arrange a proper burial.
During his investigation, Okutsu discovers a receipt from a thrift store, which serves as a clue to trace the man's final journey. As he reconstructs the man's path, Okutsu reflects on his own past and his personal connection to his dog, Kuro. The film explores the bond between the man and his faithful companion during their final days.
Production
Principal photography for the film commenced in August 2010. Filming took place in various locations across Japan, including a park in Nayoro, Hokkaido, as well as Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, and Tokyo. The film was distributed by Toho and released in Japan on June 11, 2011, with a total runtime of 128 minutes.
Cast
- Toshiyuki Nishida as the man
- Tetsuji Tamayama as Kyousuke Okutsu
- Umika Kawashima as Yuki Kawamura
- Kimiko Yo as the innkeeper
- Yoichi Nukumizu as Tomita
- Mari Hamada as Tomita's wife
- Sansei Shiomi as Manager Nishitani
- Shido Nakamura as the convenience store manager
- Kayoko Kishimoto as the mother
- Tatsuya Fuji as Kyousuke's grandfather
- Tomokazu Miura as the seaside restaurant owner
Reception
The film was selected for the Open Cinema section at the 16th Busan International Film Festival, held in October 2011.
