Koji Fukada Talks CineMart-, EFM-Bound Buzz Title ‘Love on Trial’ (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Christopher Vourlias Japanese auteur Koji Fukada is developing his latest feature film, a look into the frenzied world of Japan’s idol culture, which he’ll be presenting during the Rotterdam Film Festival’s CineMart co-production market this week.The project will then head to the European Film Market next month as part of the Rotterdam-Berlinale Express, a collaboration between the two markets.Fukada spoke exclusively to Variety about his tenth feature film, “Love on Trial,” which tells the story of a burgeoning pop star who falls in love with an old schoolmate – only to have her life and career unravel because that romance violates a “no boys” clause in her contract.The film is inspired by the improbable, real-life court case of a 15-year-old Japanese pop star who was sued by her talent management company for falling into a romantic relationship that violated the terms of her contract.

The court ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiff, with the judge reasoning that “the role of idol singers is to build up their fanbase and any relationship that’s discovered would damage their public image.” Upon hearing the verdict, Fukada said he had “shivers running up my spine” as he realized the “grotesque implications” of the verdict and its “violent undertones.” “A girl was found guilty of being in a romantic relationship, with no consideration of the unequal power balance in show business and the legal system, which are predominantly men’s worlds,” he said.That power imbalance, he added, extends beyond the idiosyncratic world of Japanese pop culture, describing it as “a familiar violence all over the world.” But it creates a particularly difficult burden for young female idols in a country where gender equality lags far.