From left: Riski(Sato Chiaki), Wara (Ishihara Satomi), Dino (Yagira Yuya), Gimo (Tanaka Kei) and Shio Kanjiya Shihori

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

( Note today is the last day you can catch the Eiga Sai fest in Shangri La Plaza Cineplex. The Eiga Sai will be in Cebu, Davao and in UP film institute by August)

A small gesture of affection becomes the concept for a website that gives a lot of people hope. ‘The Bandage Club’ is part of the Eiga Sai Japanese film fest running at the Shangri-la Plaza Cineplex from July 1 to 11, 2010. Fans can catch Anime classics and other notable Japanese films free of charge.

Wara (Satomi Ishihara) is a jaded high school student who is convinced that love doesn’t exist in the world. That is until she meets Dino (Yuya Yagira) a rebellious devil may care kind of guy who seems to have empathy for those who are in emotional pain. When Dino sees a bandage on her wrist for an accidental cut he immediately assumes that she tried to commit suicide. Even if Wara was just cutting vegetables, she admits that she is still hurting from her parents’ divorce.

Dino uses her bandage and ties a bow in between railings and asks, “This is for your pain. Doesn’t it make you feel better?” Wara is so touched she shoots the bow with her cell phone and shows it to her barkada or group of friends. They in turn are so touched that they come up with the idea of putting up a website asking people about their emotional hang-ups, the places they want bandaged and why. Upon request the group goes to the place bandages up the object, takes a photo and uploads it. The website becomes a huge hit and gets a flood of requests from people.

Kanjiya Shihori plays the lovable Shio, who looks like a teenage Sharon Cuneta

Shio  may be the most childlike of the group and is often brought to tears with the slightest provocation. Actress Kanjiya Shihori who plays her is a teenage and Japanese version of Sharon Cuneta. For those who saw Sharon during her ‘Mr. DJ’ days, Shio is a very kawaii (cute) reminder of that time. Shio may be the prettiest in the group and also takes out her depression on food (just like Sharon). Both Shio and Wara have part time jobs as promo girls for ham in a supermarket. They use their teenage looks to call attention to ham products.

Because of the flood of requests in the website Wara decides to contact her two best friends who used to be part of her circle. The two former members of her gang also got into a big fight before they left. Tempo (Megumi Seki) is tall and has model-like features. She looks down on her less fortunate friends because she lives in an expensive upscale apartment. Riski (Chiaki Sato) is a rocker chick in black leather who had to stop schooling to get a job since her dad was laid off.

Filipinos especially teenagers will love watching this film seeing that the Japanese youth are just as obsessed with their cell phones as they are. The barkada concept and blossoming romance between the Bandage Club members will definitely be a selling point. And yet, this is a lot more than your typical teenybopper coming of age film. It deals with a lot of relevant issues raging from child abuse, divorce and teenage violence.

Sharon Cuneta during the PNoy Inauguration in black, from left Sen. Pangilinan, daughter KC and Jim Paredes

Technology is also a part of the storyline. The usage of lesser known cell phone features are seen in the movie. In one scene Wara needs to instantly read her email from her cell. It may be the last message from someone whom they suspect may end her own life. The internet, cell phones are all just tools to communicate. The important thing is what you say and your intention in using these tools. If it is good then it brings people together.

The Bandage Club is based on an award winning novel by Arata Tendo published in 2006. Last year he won the Naoki Prize for it. It also became a popular manga or comic book that was able to harness the teenage market. After a strong showing at the box office, producers also had the unique idea of screenings in major Karaoke establishments. The soundtrack includes the acoustic guitar and voice of Humbert Humbert. The style is similar to Filipina singer / songwriter Cynthia Alexander.