Somebody's Xylophone (2016)

Interesting facts

Dareka no Mokkin , also known as Somebody's Xylophone in English, is a 2016 Japanese suspense drama film directed by Yōichi Higashi. It was adapted by Higashi from a novel of the same name by Areno Inoue. Dareka no Mokkin was the final film directed by Higashi, who died in 2026. The film tells the story of a married, middle-aged housewife who finds herself growing dangerously infatuated with her young hairdresser. It stars Takako Tokiwa in the lead role, in addition to Sosuke Ikematsu, Aimi Satsukawa, Masanobu Katsumura and Maho Yamada. Takatsugu Muramatsu composed the film's score, while its theme song "The Final News" was performed by Yōsui Inoue.

Production

Higashi and Tokiwa had a good relationship on set, with Higashi stating that "I didn't have to consult with her about a single scene or single cut".

Tokiwa said she had no trouble understanding her character's motivations, stating that some may view her actions as stalking, while others might see them as an "expression of pure love", but that ultimately "The choice of where to draw that line is up to the individual." On the same topic, Higashi said, "There's no clear borderline with one side normal and the other abnormal – both can exist in the same person."

Ikematsu's acting style was unexpected but appreciated by both Higashi and Tokiwa, with Tokiwa saying, "One thing Ikematsu has been doing right all along is to take long pauses between lines. It's because he's being honest about his feelings, I think. He waits until he wants to say his next line. So the pauses become really long."

Higashi was 84 when he made Dareka no Mokkin. It proved to be his final film, as he died in 2026.

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