Seventh Code
| Seventh Code | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Kiyoshi Kurosawa |
| Written by | Kiyoshi Kurosawa |
| Starring | Atsuko Maeda |
| Cinematography | Shinya Kimura |
| Edited by | Koichi Takahashi |
| Music by | Yusuke Hayashi |
Production company | AKS |
| Distributed by | Nikkatsu |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 60 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese[1] |
Seventh Code is a 2013 Japanese action thriller film written and directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, starring Atsuko Maeda. It won the Best Director award and the Best Technical Contribution award at the 8th Rome Film Festival.[2] The film was released in Japan on January 11, 2014.[3]
Plot
[edit]Akiko (Atsuko Maeda), a young woman, comes to Vladivostok to meet Matsunaga (Ryohei Suzuki), a young businessman she has met in Tokyo only once. Akiko finally finds Matsunaga. However, he leaves her again, warning her not to trust strangers in a foreign country. She tries to follow him, but she is attacked by thugs and dumped on the outskirts of town.
Cast
[edit]- Atsuko Maeda as Akiko
- Ryohei Suzuki as Matsunaga
- Aissy as Hsiao-yen
- Hiroshi Yamamoto as Saito
Reception
[edit]Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter gave Seventh Code a mixed review, where she found the "closely observed emotions" that were typical of Kurosawa's other works such as his Tokyo Sonata film and his made-for-TV serial drama Penance were "decidedly missing".[4] Jay Weissberg of Variety described the film as "a quirky one-hour caper designed as a showcase for singer-actress Atsuko Maeda."[5] Dan Fainaru of Screen International noted that "each of the film's sequences are shot and directed with the smooth, precise authority that clearly attests to Kurosawa's high professional standards."[6] Mark Schilling of The Japan Times gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, commenting that "Maeda is not about to become a new action superstar from her work in Seventh Code, but it might well extend her appeal beyond her AKB48 fan base."[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Schilling, Mark (January 2, 2014). "'Seventh Code'". The Japan Times. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Blair, Gavin J. (November 18, 2013). "Japanese Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa 'Very Surprised' About Two Wins at Rome Film Fest". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ 前田敦子&黒沢清監督、ローマ映画祭2冠作の劇場公開に感無量 (in Japanese). Eiga.com. January 12, 2014.
- ^ Young, Deborah (November 15, 2013). "Seventh Code (Sebunsu kodo): Rome Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Weissberg, Jay (November 19, 2013). "Rome Film Review: 'Seventh Code'". Variety.
- ^ Fainaru, Dan (November 17, 2013). "The Seventh Code - Reviews". Screen International.
