Japanese horror film Atsuko Maeda mistakenly enters Black Lily Apartments

Black Lily Apartments is another terrifying masterpiece by director Hideo Nakata, known for Ring and Dark Water, released six years after his 2007 film Kaidan. Set in a uniquely dilapidated traditional Japanese residential area, the film creates an unsettlingly eerie atmosphere and pushes the fear of the audience to the peak by tapping into the loneliness many people in modern society feel. Even the director himself couldn’t hide his excitement, vouching wholeheartedly: “This is the most ‘culminating’ of all my horror films!”

Last weekend, Hideo Nakata, Atsuko Maeda, and Hiroki Narimiya made a whirlwind 14-hour stop in Taiwan with a packed schedule. After wrapping up a media meet-and-greet at in89 Cinemax, they hurried to a fan meeting at today’s Showtime Cinemas. The trio appeared to enthusiastic cheers from fans, and in no time, Atsuko and Hiroki quickly changed out of their airport and media meet-and-greet outfits into three different sets of clothes, dazzling the fans present. Atsuko looked graceful in a mint green dress, while Hiroki showed off his cool charm in a checkered suit. Notably, passionate fans outside the venue gifted a huge floral basket that left Atsuko absolutely thrilled, posing excitedly with it. During the event, the director also specially “stashed” the film’s mysterious and important character “Miyu” in his suit pocket, and even spontaneously decided to greet fans in Miyu’s childlike voice, drawing loud applause. Atsuko shared her thoughts on the Taiwan trip: “I’m really happy, so happy I couldn’t sleep last night. Especially seeing such an enthusiastic response from fans, I’ll take it as everyone thinking the movie is great. Everyone, please help recommend it too!” Hiroki also fulfilled his promotional duties wholeheartedly: “Taiwan also has residential areas like those in Black Lily Apartments, so the story feels like something that could happen in your neighbor’s home. Everyone, welcome to watch it again at home after the DVD release — you’ll definitely feel it even more!”

The director also revealed in private that if a sequel is made, he would consider letting Miyu, the child character, grow up and continue the story, and there would be more room for Atsuko’s character to develop. Especially seeing how popular the film is in Taiwan, the director further commented: “Taiwanese and Japanese audiences have similar tastes in horror films, and their lifestyles in residential areas are also very close, so it feels especially relatable when watching.” Regarding her first visit to Taiwan, Atsuko happily said: “The Taiwanese audience’s reactions are very direct — in Japan it’s actually hard to feel such direct cheers from fans. Seeing everyone so supportive really makes me happy!” Hiroki agreed and added: “For the next project, maybe we should just focus the promotion overseas directly!”

 

This horror film, which has been invited to multiple international film festivals and reaches new heights in Japanese horror cinema, will be released in Japan on May 18 and then thrillingly hit Taiwanese theaters on May 31, making it a near-simultaneous release in both regions. The film’s plot follows Asuka (played by Atsuko Maeda), who has just moved with her family into a run-down residential area. On her first night, she is awakened by strange noises coming from the elderly neighbor’s apartment. Out of concern for the old man, Asuka enters his room only to find that he has died from severe malnutrition. Even more horrifying is that the old man appears to have been digging toward Asuka’s room. Then, the next morning, strange noises start coming from the neighbor’s apartment again... Before long, Asuka learns that terrifying supernatural events often occur in this community, and with the help of a funeral organizer {9 Hara (played by Hiroki Narimiya), Asuka begins to investigate the message conveyed by the deceased old man, as well as the mystery of the death that occurred here 13 years ago...

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