June 2008 was tragic. Then 25-year-old Tomohiro Kato went on a stabbing rampage in Tokyo's geek district, leaving seven dead and ten injured. He was sentenced to death earlier this year. Not exactly the feel-good backdrop for a movie.
Written and directed by prolific filmmaker Ryuichi Hiroki, the movie, dubbed River, follows a young woman who lost her otaku boyfriend in the attack. She slowly rebuilds her life, interacting with Akihabara inhabitants and even working in a maid cafe.
The film's director has made an array of films on difficult topics, but online in Japan, many are complaining that a movie like this is unnecessary and too soon.
「秋葉原通り魔事件」蓮佛美沙子主演で初映画化 [Sponichi]
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