©Courtesy of Netflix
The main footage and key art for the Netflix film “This is I” featuring Haruna AI and the doctor who made a difference in her life have been released.
In 2008, Haruna Ai swept the world with her lip-sync renditions of Ayaya.Before she arrived on that stage, there had been a long journey for a young boy named Kenji. Even from a young age, he struggled with the question ‘Who am I truly?’ and faced the harsh gaze of society, yet he never lost sight of his dream: ‘I aspire to be an idol like Seiko-chan!’ The encounter that changed his future was meeting Dr. Koji Wada. The struggles faced by those with gender dysphoria were a new reality for Dr. Wada when he met with Kenji. Kenji made the decision to be the first patient in Dr. Wada’s inaugural gender confirmation procedure.
In spite of social backlash and challenges, the two individuals, each carrying their own loneliness, created a bond of trust and connection that can never be replaced. Based on the books documenting their lives—Haruna Ai’s “This Wonderful Life” (Kodansha) and Koji Wada & Kimiko Fukamachi’s “Penis Cutter: The Story of the Doctor Who Saved Gender Dysphoria” (Hojosha)—the true story of these two individuals who opened the door to gender confirmation surgery, then considered taboo, is brought to life as a Netflix film.
The lead role is played by 18-year-old rising star Haruki Mochizuki, selected through auditions. Takumi Saitō portrays the real-life doctor Kōji Wada, who brings a major turning point to the protagonist. The cast also includes Tae Kimura, Seiji Chihara, Naka Nakamura, Kaito Yoshimura, MEGUMI, and Shido Nakamura.
Alongside the already revealed Princess Princess’s “Diamonds,” the film features Seiko Matsuda’s “Natsu no Tobira” (Summer Door), “Cherry Blossom,” “SWEET MEMORIES,” Kumiko Yamashita’s “Equatorial Maiden Doki,” Akina Nakamori’s “Slow Motion,” The Checkers’ “Scandal with That Girl,” TRF’s “survival dAnce ～no no cry more～,” Anri’s “Listening to Olivia,” Misato Watanabe’s “My Revolution,” and, essential to Haruna Ai’s story, Ayaka Matsuura’s “Hey~?” and “Yeah! Mega Holiday” – a total of 12 songs representing the Showa and Heisei eras are featured.
A clip from the main footage featuring Kumiko Yamashita’s “Equatorial Maiden Doki” has been released. It shows Ai (Haruki Mochizuki) stepping out into the city for the first time wearing a red dress and makeup. The entire town becomes captivated by Ai, dancing around her in a scene overflowing with happiness.
The choreography for this dance was handled by Akane, who is also the producer of Avant Garde. Akane choreographed all the dance scenes in this work.
