Biographical, Romance

The 8-Year Engagement

8年越しの花嫁 奇跡の実話

Directed by: Takahisa Zeze
2017 / 119 minutes / Under 15s must be accompanied by an adult

An against all-odds romance based on the true story of Mai and Hisashi Nakahara

Screened as part of the JFF 2018.

This beautiful love story starts when Mai (Tao Tsuchiya) and Hisashi (Takeru Sato) meet at a gokon (group date). Polar opposites, Mai is bubbly and headstrong, while Hisashi is quiet and considerate. But opposites do attract and they naturally fall in love, despite getting off on the wrong foot.

Soon after their engagement, Mai is struck down with encephalitis, a rare disease that sends her into a coma with slim chances of survival. Despite the grim prognosis, Hisashi stays by her side and visits her everyday. Weeks turn into months, and months turn into years. And yet Hisashi persists. Together they fight the odds.

Based on the real life experiences of Mai and Hisashi Nakahara, The 8-Year Engagement is a miraculous love story that will surely leave audience in tears. Directed by the versatile director Takahisa Zeze, who started out directing and writing experimental pink films in the 80s before rising to prominence with major productions like 64 (Rokuyon) and My Friend ‘A’.