Directed by Motosora Hoki, “BAUS Movie Theater” will be released on March 21, 2025! Starring Shota Sometani, Kazunobu Mineta, and Kaho have also been announced!

It has been decided that the movie “BAUS Movie Theater,” directed by Motosora Hazuki, who is a filmmaker and also performs as a musician with the band Bialystocks, will be released at Theater Shinjuku and other theaters nationwide from March 21, 2025.

Along with the release decision, the main cast’s appearance information and comments, teaser visuals, and special news have also been released. Shota Sometani plays the lead role. In this work, he plays the role of Saneo, who moves to Tokyo from Aomori Prefecture on a whim with his older brother Hajime, and ends up working at the first movie theater “Inokashira Kaikan” that was opened in Kichijoji. Kazunobu Mineta from the rock band Ginkgo BOYZ plays Saneo’s older brother Hajime. In addition, Kaho will play the role of Hama, who meets Saneo while working as a helper at Inokashira Hall and later becomes his wife.

Hajime is constantly coming up with out-of-the-box ideas while working hard as a benshi. While steadily supporting his older brother, one day Saneo is suddenly appointed as the president of the theater and begins to aim for further development. And while watching over them, Hama supports the family with her natural strength. Pay attention to the performances full of vitality by the talented actors.

The screenplay for this work is based on the original story of “Inokan, MEG, and Baus, a movie theater raised in Kichijoji: Three generations of movie theaters from Kichijoji” (written by Takuo Honda, published by Bungeishunju Kikaku Publishing Department, released by Bungeishunju), and written by Shinji Aoyama. After his passing in March 2022, Hajime Kimoto took over and wrote the book. Kichijoji Baus Theater has built a history of 30 years, loved by many audiences and creators, with the reckless concept of “doing anything interesting” – not just movie screenings, but theater, music, and rakugo. This film depicts the long journey of the people who continued to protect theaters and provide entertainment despite being tossed about by the times. The music for the film will be composed by Yoshihide Otomo, who is also closely connected to Kichijoji Baus Theater and Shinji Aoyama.

The teaser visual released this time has an impressive appearance of Saneo sitting on the stage of a movie theater. The large speakers are reminiscent of the Kichijoji Baus Theater, and the copy that says, “Tomorrow begins from darkness,” combined with Saneo’s facial expressions, creates a feeling of hope and quiet enthusiasm for the yet-to-be-seen future. are. The special video begins with Saneo and Hajime with shining eyes at the Inokashira Hall, Hajime doing his best to give a live speech, and Saneo trying to attract customers at the entrance, and it shows them spending their busy days centered around the movie theater.

Expectations are high for follow-up reports such as the cast that will be announced in the future.

Below are the comments received from the three main cast members and director Hajime Hajime upon the release of the film.

Comment from Shota Sometani (role of Saneo)

The Baus Theater was the place of my youth. Every time I go to see a movie, there’s always a friend with me and we’ll talk to each other, and we’ll all gather together at the Bakuon Film Festival, and it’ll be exciting. It’s an unforgettable theater.
I was shocked to find out that the last book written by my beloved Shinji Aoyama was a Bauss film. Mr. Higuchi, the producer, said to me, “Why don’t you take advantage of Aoyama’s curse?” It was the ultimate curse for me. Mr. Motosora Hoki was waiting for him at the end of the curse. He’s the best guy. Of course, the staff and co-stars who gathered around the best man were the best, and the scene felt like jumping into a dream. Director Hajime Hajime’s generosity embraced all of that dream time, lit a fire in my soul, and created the best movie ever. Whether you like movies or not, we would be happy if you could come to the theater and take a trip down memory lane.

Comment from Kazunobu Mineta (playing Hajime)

I watched many movies at Kichijoji Baus Theater. At that time, perhaps in the dark space, I too might have been watched by a movie. Movies sang to me, movies danced with me. Baus was a living thing, having survived its time and its time. He lived with poverty, was almost eaten up by war, and was loved by many people in the town of Kichijoji. This film is indeed Baus’ last dream at the end of his long life. Running lights like a merry-go-round. Please give it a try.

Comment from Kaho (Hama role)

I remember having a strange feeling, like I was living in the fragments of someone’s memory, a long story that spanned about 90 years.
The filming scene, where the film progresses calmly and calmly while thinking about something that has disappeared, is overflowing with a lot of love for movies, and I’m sure that’s reflected in the main story. I would be happy if you could look forward to the release.

Comment from director Motosora Hoki

People stare at the same light in the darkness. This is the story of an ordinary family living in a movie theater, which can be found in any city around the world. The story of how movie theaters were born, how they grew, and how they disappeared. I don’t know if they are fighting or getting along in this ordinary world, but the thoughts of countless (unnamed) people who lived their lives trying hard to find a glimmer of freedom and happiness in this ordinary world have been turned into a small movie. I did. In order for the living and the dead to move forward, even if it’s just one step, we use light to connect and recognize the dead born from loss. I am very happy that I was able to make a movie with the cast and staff that I respect from the bottom of my heart, as if I were introducing this story to a friend.

“Movie theater launched from BAUS movies” special report

Movie “BAUS movie theater” information

Nationwide roadshow including Theater Shinjuku from March 21, 2025 (Friday)
Starring: Shota Sometani, Kazunobu Mineta, Kaho, and others
Director: Motosora Hoki
Screenplay: Shinji Aoyama Motosora Takaki
Music: Yoshihide Otomo
Executive producer: Takuo Honda
Producer: Yasuto Higuchi, Takenori Sento, Tomohiko Seki, Tokuji Suzuki
Co-producer: Atsuko Ohno, Terutaro Koyamauchi
Casting Director: Mai Sugiyama
Planning cooperation: Maho Aoyama
Photography: Shin Yonekura
Lighting: Daiki Takai
Sound: Nobuyuki Kikuchi
Recording: Shigeru Fujibayashi
Art: Masato Fube
Costume: Masae Miyamoto
Hair and makeup: Miwako Sugawara
Assistant Director: Hirohito Takino
In charge of production: Kaori Iizuka
Edit: Mari Nagase
CG/VFX Director: Anji Ushio
Original work: “Movie theaters raised in Kichijoji: Inokan, MEG, Baus: Three generations of Kichijoji movie theaters” (written by Takuo Honda / published by Bungeishunju Kikaku Publishing Department / released by Bungeishunju)
Planning and production: Honda Promotion BAUS boid
Production Production: Cogito Works
Distribution: Copiapoa Film boid
Grant: Agency for Cultural Affairs Subsidy for Cultural Arts Promotion (Japanese Film Production Support Project) | Japan Arts Council
©Honda Promotion BAUS/boid 2024/Japan/European Vista/116 minutes

Official website:https://bausmovie.com/
Official X: @BAUS_movie

Artist information

Official website:https://bialystocks.com/
Official X:https://twitter.com/bialymusic
Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bialystocks/
Official YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/Bialystocks

Bialystocks Profile
The group was formed in 2019 after a live performance screening of the movie Haruneko, directed by Sora Hokimoto and co-produced by Shinji Aoyama and Takenori Sento. In 2021, he will release his first full album “Bialystox”. In 2022, he was selected for Spotify’s “RADAR: Early Noise 2022” and released his second full album “Quicksand” from IRORI Records / PONYCANYON in November of the same year. The combination of vocalist Motosora Hoki’s soulful and relaxed singing voice, folky and warm melody, and key Go Kikuchi’s jazz-based instruments that freely cross genres is universal. It is said to be radical at the same time.