TWILIGHT: Saya in Sasara　トワイライトささらさや

“Miraculous moments” abound in a small town called “Sasara”

Saya is a young mother whose life changes dramatically when her husband, Yutaro, is killed in an accident. Feeling lost and alone, she finds herself in an idyllic, but somewhat strange town called “Sasara.” Yutaro is so distraught about leaving his naïve wife behind that his spirit cannot rest in peace. He wanders around town, at times possessing strangers’ bodies, to help her. A master “rakugo” storyteller, a Sasara train station employee, a mute boy, a female innkeeper…

With the loving support of Yutaro and the townspeople of Sasara, the gentle and shy Saya begins transforming into a strong mother, but…

In her first role as a mother, Yui Aragaki co-stars with the undeniably talented Yo Oizumi as his wife. Aoi Nakamura plays a guileless Sasara train station employee who can’t hide his feelings for Saya. Rila Fukushima looks hard-core, but deep down, she’s a kind-hearted mother of a troubled boy. Masao Komatsu plays a “rakugo” (comic storyteller) master and long-time mentor of Yutaro, a starving rakugo artist. Ryo Ishibashi plays Yutaro’s estranged father. Takeshi Tsuruno plays a man who left Sasara for unknown reasons. Veteran actresses Sumiko Fuji, Kuriko Namino and Yumiko Fujita round out the cast as Sasara’s lovable busybodies, creating a story that everyone can relate to. Saya’s baby Yusuke’s shining eyes and sweet smile will melt your heart.

The film is an adaptation of “Sasara Saya” by Tomoko Kano, who has brilliantly merged fantasy and mystery in her best-selling novel. Directing the film is Yoshihiro Fukagawa of “In His Chart” and “60 Sai no Love Letter”. His gentle direction and sensitive observation of the ebbs and flows of life shine in this film. Fukagawa and screenwriter Yukiko Yamamuro of “A Tale of Samurai Cooking - A True Love Story” spent five years completing a screenplay that would evoke both laughter and tears.

Time passes slowly in Sasara – a town blessed with beautiful blue skies and green trees.

The story takes place in a little town that will make everyone think of “home” – where new bonds are created and parting is inevitable. What is the “miracle” waiting for them at the end? The heartwarming, emotional story will enchant you.