INTRODUCTION:

Many of Japan's top directors vied for the project. Over 20 companies bid on the film's adaptation rights. And at last, TOHO brings Shuichi Yoshida's award-winning novel, "Villain" ("Akunin"), to the screen as one of the most highly anticipated films of 2010. The director is Sang-li Lee, whose "Hula Girls" (2006) swept the awards in Japan that year, including Best Picture at the Japan Academy Prize. The music is composed by the world-renowned Joe Hisaishi, who has scored many films by Hayao Miyazaki and Takeshi Kitano as well as the recent hit "Departures" (2008).

The protagonist (and killer), Yuichi, is played by Satoshi Tsumabuki ("Josee, the Tiger and the Fish"). Mitsuyo, the women who falls for and goes on the run with Yuichi, is played by Eri Fukatsu ("The Magic Hour"). In addition, the stellar supporting cast includes Masaki Okada ("A Gentle Breeze in the Village") as a college student who holds the key to the murdered women, Akira Emoto ("Dr. Akagi") as the victim's father, and Kirin Kiki ("Still Walking") as the killer's grandmother.

STORY:

Yuichi is a construction worker who's lived his entire life in a dreary fishing village. With no girlfriend or friends, he spends his days working and looking after his grandparents, with no enjoyment in life other than his car. Meanwhile, Mitsuyo also lives a monotonous life pacing between the men's clothing store where she works and the apartment where she lives with her sister.

When the two lonely souls meet using an online dating site, they immediately fall in love with each other. But there's a secret Yuichi had been keeping from Mitsuyo: he's the one who killed the woman whose murder had been in the news for days.

Though Yuichi tries to turn himself in, Mitsuyo stops him. Having discovered the joy of loving someone for the first time in their lives, the desperate lovers go on the run. They arrive at a lighthouse, where they find the time and place to share a bilssful moment together. But their getaway begins to ensnare the lives of families of both the killer and the victim.

Why did Yuichi kill the woman?

Why did Mitsuyo love the killer?

What fate awaits the families who were torn apart?

As the desperate characters hit rock bottom and struggle between good and evil, a new question emerges:

Who is the true “villain” here?

The answer to the question moves the story toward a shocking and moving climax.

DIRECTOR: Sang-il Lee

Sang-il Lee is a Korean-Japanese film director and screenwriter. He won the Best Director and Best Screenplay at Japanese Academy Prize for "Hula Girls" (2006) and "Villain" (2010).

CAST: Satoshi Tsumabuki

Satoshi Tsumabuki is a Japanese actor. His breakthrough film was "Waterboys" (2001) for which he was nominated for the Best Actor at the Japanese Academy Prize.

CAST: Eri Fukatsu

Eri Fukatsu is a Japanese actress. She just won the award for best actress at the 2010 Montreal World Film Festival for her performance in "Villain" ("Akunin").

Music: Joe Hisaishi

Joe Hisaishi is a composer and director known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to 1981. He also released a new solo album in early 2009 featuring tracks from "Shellfish" and the recent hit "Departures" (2008).