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is an award-winning Japanese film, directed by Sang-il Lee and co-written by Lee and Daisuke Habara, which was first released across Japanese theaters on September 23, 2006. Starring Yasuko Matsuyuki, Etsushi Toyokawa, Yū Aoi, Shizuyo Yamazaki, Ittoku Kishibe and Junko Fuji, it is based on an actual event^[1][2] and follows the attempts of a group of enthusiastic girls to take up hula dancing to save their village.^[3]
''Hula Girls'' was critically acclaimed upon release in Japan^[4] and nominated for a total of 12 awards at the 2007 Japan Academy Awards, going on to win five major awards, including that of best film, best director, best screenplay, best supporting actress (for Yū Aoi), and most popular film.^[5] It also won two major awards at the prestigious 80th Kinema Junpo awards, including that of best film and best supporting actress (for Yū Aoi). Since its release in Japan, the film has been shown across theaters and film festivals worldwide.^[6]

Contents

Story

Locations featured in film

Awards

References

Story

Kimiko Tanigawa (portrayed by Yū Aoi) and Sayuri Kumano (portrayed by Shizuyo Yamazaki) perform the hula dance

Set in the northern Japanese coal mining town of Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture in 1965, the town's elders and sole mining company set about trying to build a Hawaiian Centre spa resort, in order to try and resolve the town's faltering fortunes. A group of enthusiastic girls, assisted by a dance instructor from Tokyo, begin to learn the hula dance, which becomes the town's saving grace.

Locations featured in film

★ Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture

★ Furudono, Ishikawa District, Fukushima Prefecture

★ Kitaibaraki, Ibaraki Prefecture

★ Takahagi, Ibaraki Prefecture

★ Spa Resort Hawaiians (actual spa resort located in Iwaki, Fukushima)

★ Nakaminato Station (located in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Awards

''Hula Girls'' won several awards upon release, including five major awards at the 2007 Japan Academy Awards, including that of best film, best director, best screenplay, best supporting actress (for Yū Aoi), and most popular film.^[5] It also won best film and supporting actress award (for Yū Aoi) at the 80th Kinema Junpo awards, held on January 9, 2007. At the 31st Hōchi Film Awards, held on November 28, 2006, it won the awards for best film and supporting actress, while at the 19th Nikkan Sports Awards, held on December 5, 2006, it won the awards for best film, best actress (for Yasuko Matsuyuki), best supporting actress (for Junko Fuji) and best new talent (for Yū Aoi). At the 61st Mainichi Film Awards, held on January 19, 2007, it won the awards for best supporting actress (for Yū Aoi) and best film. At the 49th Blue Ribbon Awards, it won the awards for best film, best actress (for Yū Aoi) and best supporting actress (for Junko Fuji).

References

1. Kakiseni.com - Hula Girls
2. Hula Girls
3. Hula Girls
4. Hula Girls (JAPAN 2006)
5. Hula gâru (2006) - Awards
6. Hula Girls (Hula Garu)
7. Hula gâru (2006) - Awards