Japan's biggest summer festival, the Yosakoi Festival which originated from the Kouchi Prefecture, is the stage for an emotionally charged movie. Current popular young actor, Mizobata Junpei will play the lead in "Kimi ga Odoru, Natsu" (The Summer You Danced).
Mizobata-san's character, Shinpei, moves from Kouchi to Tokyo to be a professional photographer. 5 years later, fatigued by life in Tokyo, he returns to his hometown. He meets his ex-girlfriend, Kaori. They had once made a promise to move to Tokyo together. For the sake of her sister (Sakura), Kaori wants to grant her a dying wish. That wish was for Shinpei and Kaori to be in the legendary team of Yosakoi dance once again, "Ichimujin". Shinpei understands Kaori's feelings, and decides to participate in the Yosakoi dance, but...
Playing the role of the heroine Kaori is Kinami Haruka, an upcoming actress who was also in 20th Century Boys. Her character struggles to fulfill the wish of Sakura (Ayane Omori) who suffers from an incurable disease.
For 3 days from the 8th to 10th August, filming had begun during the real Yosakoi Festival. Mizobata-san who was there to observe the festival, "Everyone's enthusiasm is overwhelming, it's more than what I had imagined. It's a good feeling, protecting tradition... What surprised me the most was that even under the blazing sun, everyone was dancing with a smile. I will work hard to deliver a good movie which will display Kouchi's tradition."
Filming will be from end of September till November. Tentative release is autumn of 2010. 3/4 of filming is planned to be in Kouchi, filming in the city area is slated to be in October. A repeat of the Yosakoi Festival has been arranged.
