Singer with a dark past

GSC’s International Screens will be screening Japanese feature film La La La At Rock Bottom, which deals with memory loss and showcases contemporary music. The 104-minute dramedy is directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, who had previously helmed the 2005 film Linda Linda Linda, which also had a music band setting.

After Shigeo (Subaru Shilbutani) loses his memory, kind-hearted Kasumi (played by Fumi Nikaido) takes care of him.

When she discovers his superb singing skills, she makes him her band’s lead singer and gives him the nickname Pochi Man.

But things start to unravel when his dark past clashes with his new life.

The P13-rated film, which was shot in Osaka, also stars Sarina Suzuki, Katsumi Kawahara, Izumi Matsuoka, Shohei Uno, Takumi Matsuzawa, Takashi Noguchi and Suon Kan.

Known as Misono Universe in Japan, the title refers to an actual location.

Misono is the name of a building that opened in 1956 in the Sennichimae area of Osaka, housing restaurants, a hotel and massage parlours.

Universe refers to an upscale cabaret venue that was located in the building before it closed down in 2011.

A popular live club, also named Universe, has taken its place.

The entertaining film premiered on Jan 21, 2015 at the 44th International Film Festival Rotterdam. It was also screened at the 14th New York Asian Film Festival in the US and the 28th Tokyo International Film Festival in Japan.

La La La At Rock Bottom will be screened on April 6 at four GSC locations — GSC Mid Valley, GSC Pavilion KL, GSC 1 Utama and GSC Gurney Plaza Penang.

It will feature English and Malay subtitles.