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Crying out love in the centre of the world 在世界中心呼喚愛

----Year 1986---
Aki was the brightest student in class good in academic and sports. She was always the favourite of the class and had the attention of everyone. After the funeral of the well respect old teacher, Sakutaro learned from the old photo shop owner that the teacher was once the sweetheart of this old photo shop owner, her parents forced her to married someone else, he had never forgotten her.
Aki and Sakutaro became good friends. The shop owner's story really touched Aki. They helped him to get a piece of the old teacher's bone from the ashes.

One day they saw and wanted to get a new gadget - the Sony Walkman, and decided to write to the radio show Midnight Wave that gave away new walkman if the program host read out the write-in letters. So Sakutaro wrote a fake story about a classmate who was picked for the role of Juliet in the school play Romeo and Juliet who had leukemia. In reality, Aki was indeed picked by majority vote to play the Juliet role. She was not happy that Sakutaro lied to win the walkman. She recorded her feeling on tape to tell him she was upset and asked him to record his feeling too on tapes. He asked her on tape to become his girlfriend. Aki and Sakutaro fell in love with each other.

One day with the help from a friend they spent an overnight trip alone to a remote island (actually not that far from their home tow)n and stayed in an abundant house on the island. It's the first time they had been to this far from home, Sakutaro tried to kiss Aki, with no experience, he was unsuccessful and Aki said kissing should be like dreams and laughed it off. They wrote their names on the glass window and secretly Sakutaro prayed that they will get married. They found a camera with a roll of film inside. (later on they had it developed and the photos were shot in Australia where the natives live, the natives believe that this is the centre of the world and it is a holy place where the dead will be buried and move on). When their friend came to pick them up in the morning, Aki fainted and was rush to the hospital upon return to their home town. She was hospitalised and never returned to school.

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3 comments

Comment from: dominicchan  

Replied by Doris. My rating:5

My review:
Well, I like this movie, but it’s not on ‘my favourite’ list.
It’s a good piece of work which contains most of those important elements - good story, acting, cinematography, music & even the chinese name of this movie has added some credits.
However, I don’t like 2 minor points. One is the story line between Sakutaro & his fiancee Ritsuko. It’s not meaningful to the core bitter-sweet love story between young Sakutaro & Aki, which is most touching for the audiences.
I was not shocked in knowing that Ritsuko was the little girl who always passed Sakutaro the cassette tape. However, Sakutaro seems has no reaction in knowing that too, & knowing even her leg was permanently damaged by the tragic accident during delivery.
Another scene which I don’t like is the ending. Don’t you think Sakutaro & Ritsuko should find out the place of that photo first before letting go of Aki’s ash? It’s Aki’s last wish to be free in “the centre of the world". I suppose they’re on the way there, they got off the car just due to car problem but then got the ‘ceremony’ done quickly. Am I right?
Anyway, it’s a good movie although I didn’t cry.
When one’s lover has been died, how the one being left should do? To survive sadly or to cherish that ‘being loved until the day he/she died.? I’m not fan of Titanic, but I really like Rose who could still live it real without Jack, & she’s never forgot what Jack had ever said until she died.

10/21/06 @ 19:03
Comment from: dominicchan  

Replied by irene. My rating:5

My review:
Sorry, I haven’t seen this movie and I put 5 because I find the story good and trust my friend’s comments. Just to respond to Doris last point of death, what we can do it to cherish and try to live well by ourselves. It’s hard to imagine without trying it by ourselves. But there must be some happy elements missing.

10/21/06 @ 19:04
Comment from: dominicchan  

Replied by Lillian. My rating:5

My review:
The movie is so great. I cried several times when I saw it. It was so touching and I like it very much. Thank you for your recommendation.
I also like the scene Aki playing piano in the hall. The music is wonderful. Sakutaro phoned his friends and cried; he said how could he forget Aki. I can feel the strong affection. I was deeply touched by the airport scene. Aki and Sakutaro planned to go to Australia but their flight was canceled because of typhoon. Sakutaro held Aki in his arms and cried:? Please save her!? I suddenly felt myself so lucky and I should treasure my love, cherish the day sharing with my lover. Hope all the lovers can live a happy life together.
I recommend this movie to all of my friends. It is a good movie worthwhile to appreciate.

10/21/06 @ 19:06