Hawaii International Film Festival 2009

In a last-ditch effort to sow their wild oats, Michio (Fumiyo Kohinata - 20th CENTURY BOYS 1, 2, 3) and Daisuke (Katsuhisa Namase - 20TH CENTURY BOYS 1, 2, 3) take off on a road trip to California's wine country the week prior to Daisuke 's wedding. When the two men encounter Mayuko (Kyoka Suzuki) and Mina (Rinko Kikuchi - BABEL, THE BROTHERS BLOOM), the duo is forced to re-examine their lives. Sound familiar? That is because SIDEWAYS is a Japanese adaptation of the 2004 American film of the same name. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular in Japan to remake U.S. films to suit the Japanese palate. With interest in wine skyrocketing in Japan (partly due to the manga called THE DROPS OF GOD, which has become a cultural phenomenon), SIDEWAYS puts a delightful Japanese twist to this cult favorite. Plus, local boy, Jake Shimabukuro, composes music to the soundtrack. - Minette T. Ferrer