A feature film focused on Parkinson's disease and dance.
STORY:
Kōichi has lived a life dedicated to work, neglecting his family, leading to a continued estrangement from his wife and a poor relationship with his daughter. One day, he is diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease, but he struggles to accept it and becomes isolated. Even at work, his colleagues begin to distance themselves. Amid this, he starts attending the Parkinson's disease community "PD SMILE." There, he makes friends, learns to speak openly, and realizes the importance of human connection. He also takes up cooking and changes his diet, gradually improving his relationship with his estranged daughter through dance.
CONCEPT:
There are about 300,000 Parkinson's disease patients in Japan. This is a designated intractable disease that individuals must confront throughout their lives. Recently, there has been an increase in cases of young-onset Parkinson's disease among those in their 30s and 40s. Many patients endure years of visiting various hospitals before receiving a diagnosis and continue to struggle with their relationships at work and with family after their condition is revealed. However, even though there is no cure, it is possible to lead a normal life by managing symptoms with medication and undergoing regular rehabilitation.
Realistic Depiction of the Lives of Parkinson's Disease Patients
What thoughts, ideas, and habits are important for patients to maintain a positive outlook on their lives and relationships with family and work, without falling into despair or isolation? In today's rapidly changing society, instead of viewing illness purely negatively, how can we turn it into a positive force? We aim to convey these messages to society through a dual production of a drama and a documentary focusing on Parkinson's disease patients.
Work Introduction
A story of hope and rebirth based on true events. Renowned singer-songwriter Riku Higuchi, known for the theme song "1/6 no Yumetabito 2002" from "Suiyō Dō desu ka" and the award-winning song "Tegami Dear Children," makes his acting debut in the film "Ima Dance o Suru no wa Dare da?"
The story revolves around the protagonist, who was dedicated to his job and neglected his family, and how his life changes when he is diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson's disease in his 40s. Riku Higuchi, who takes on his first lead role in a film, began experiencing physical issues around 2006, such as difficulty playing guitar and singing, and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2009. He continues to perform regularly and pursue music while battling the disease, based in his hometown of Kumamoto. At 59 years old (58 during filming), this is the first film in Japan starring a Parkinson's disease patient. He describes it as “a dance of life imbued with the straightforward feelings of a middle-aged salaryman grappling with a difficult illness.”
Director Shun Koshin expresses that Higuchi's portrayal brings to life the real struggles of living with Parkinson's, showcasing the emotions and inner thoughts that only someone experiencing the condition can convey through vivid acting.
The film’s initiator, Miki Matsuno, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2012 while thriving as a securities professional. He created the original concept based on his own experiences of isolation and suffering due to the lack of understanding of the disease, striving to make the film to help others. He passed away in March 2022, just before filming began, at the age of 67.
The cast includes talented actors such as Aya Sugimoto as the dance instructor, Shun Shioya as the boss, IZAM and Teppei Shibuya as fellow Parkinson's patients, Hiroto Yoshimitsu as the company president, and Yasuhiro Arai as the hospital director.