Movie: Air Doll
Romaji: Kuuki Ningyou
Japanese: 空気人形
Korean: 공기인형 (Konggi Inhyeong)
Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
Writer: Yoshiie Goda (manga)
Producer: Toshiro Uratani
Cinematographer: Pin Bing Lee
World Premiere: May 14, 2009 (Cannes Film Festival)
Release Date: September 26, 2009
Runtime: 116 Min.
Distributor: Asmik Ace Entertainment
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan
Plot
An "air doll" (played by Bae Doo-Na) suddenly develops human feelings one day. Without her owner knowing, the air doll decides to walk around town. She then falls in love with Junichi, whom she spots while walking the aisles of a video rental store. She then starts to date Junichi and eventually works at the video shop. Everything seems to be going perfect for the air doll until something unexpected happens to her.
Notes
Based on Yoshiie Goda's manga "The Pneumatic Figure of a Girl".
Hirokazu Koreeda has stated that the film took 9 years from planning stages until completion.
Filming completed late Jan. 2009.
"Air Doll" is expected to have world its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and then its theatrical Japan release sometime in the fall of 2009.
Fortissimo Films purchased all rights outside of Japan for "Air Doll" during the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum (HAF - March 23-25, 2009).
Cast
Bae Doo-Na as Nozomi
Arata Iura as Junichi
Itsuji Itao as Hideo
Ryo Iwamatsu as Owner of Video Rental Shop
Tasuku Emoto as Peep-tom Student
Joe Odagiri as Air Doll Maker
Mari Hoshino as Apple Woman
Sumiko Fuji as Widow
Susumu Terajima as Policeman
Tomomi Maruyama as Moe's father
Additional Cast Members:
Masaya Takahashi - Ex-substitute Teacher
Kimiko Yo - Receptionist
Miu Naraki - Moe
Sei Ando
Jyonmyon Pe
Mari Hayashida
Takashi Yamanaka
Hijiri Sakurai
Ryosuke Takei - strange man