Acclaimed at Cannes, Reprinted Over 80,000 Copies! 'Suddenly I Feel Unwell' — Original Book of Ryusuke Hamaguchi's Latest Film — Reprinted on June 17 (Wed)!

Movie tie-in book cover (award edition)

■ A Must-Read Source Book for the Film

Ryusuke Hamaguchi's latest film 'Suddenly I Feel Unwell,' which has been making headlines after winning Best Actress at the Cannes International Film Festival, has triggered a wave of orders for its original book, published by our company. Immediately after the award announcement, reprints were repeatedly ordered, and as of today, June 17 (Wed), the 23rd printing has pushed total circulation past 80,000 copies.

This book consists of 20 letters exchanged over two decades between a philosopher who survived cancer metastasis and an anthropologist with extensive clinical fieldwork experience. Their correspondence delves into life and death, separation and reunion, and transforming encounters into new beginnings—each letter a testament to their academic careers and personal lives.

Since its 2019 publication, the book has become a long-selling hit, frequently featured in media such as the Asahi Shimbun and steadily growing its readership through word of mouth.

Details on the Film's Source Book 'Suddenly I Feel Unwell'

On the film set, the original book was translated into French, and cast members reportedly studied its content thoroughly before filming. This allowed everyone involved in the production to share Hamaguchi's vision of 'drawing a line together,' fostering a unified creative direction.

Now, on the eve of the film's release, heartfelt messages about the book have been shared by Director Hamaguchi and the two lead actresses.

■ Messages on the Original Book

"Encountering the words in this book moved me not just emotionally, but physically, to my core. I believed that if I could convey this sensation to the audience, I might pass on something profoundly important. This feeling drove and guided me throughout the entire production of the film 'Suddenly I Feel Unwell.' I am deeply grateful for having discovered this book."

— Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Director

"For me, this book was like a protective talisman. The fact that a book exists where two women exchange souls is where this film began. I am deeply grateful for their love and courage."

— Tao Okamoto (Lead Actress)

"Ryusuke (Director Hamaguchi) often said during filming, 'Let’s draw a line together.' That phrase also appears in the original book. I’m truly happy that we were able to draw this line together with everyone."

— Virginie Efira (Lead Actress)

'Book Curation Fair to Decode the Film' by Director Hamaguchi and Author Maho Isano

In conjunction with the film's release, a 'Book Curation Fair to Decode Suddenly I Feel Unwell,' selected by Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi and author Maho Isano, will be held at bookstores nationwide.

Further details will be announced sequentially—please stay tuned.

■ Author Profiles

◇ Makiko Miyano (Miyano Makiko)

Associate Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, Fukuoka University (at the time). Graduated from the Department of Literature, Kyoto University, in 2000. Completed all coursework for the doctoral program (later stage) at the Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University, in 2007. Holds a Ph.D. in Human Sciences. Specializes in the history of Japanese philosophy. Publications include 'Why Do We Live by Love? — A Modern Japanese Intellectual History of 'Encounter' and 'Romance'' (Nakanishiya Publishing), 'The Edge of Encounter — Ontological Logic and the Ethics of Meeting in Kuki Shuzo' (Horikoshi Publishing), and co-edited 'Philosophy of Love, Sex, and Family' (3 volumes, Nakanishiya Publishing) with Naoshi Fujita.

◇ Maho Isano (Isano Maho)

Anthropologist. Specializes in cultural anthropology and medical anthropology. Holds a Ph.D. in Literature. Her guiding principle is 'Words to the Future.' Professor at the Institute for Liberal Arts, Tokyo University of Science. Director of the Institute for Applied Anthropology, ANTHRO (Anthro). Board member of the nonprofit De-Silo. Born in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Sports Science, School of Human Sciences, Waseda University, in 1999. Completed the Master’s program in Applied Anthropology at Oregon State University, then finished the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Letters, Waseda University, in 2010. Publications include 'Living with Others — Anthropology of Risk, Illness, and Death' (Shueisha Shinsho). Awarded the 33rd Yamamoto Nippō Prize for 'Reconnecting Amid the Pandemic — Anthropological Notes on Non-Essential Matters' (Kashiwa Shobo).

■ Bibliographic Information

Title: 'Suddenly I Feel Unwell'

Authors: Makiko Miyano, Maho Isano

Format / Pages: B6 paperback / 256 pages

Price: ¥1,760 (¥1,600 + tax)

ISBN: 978-4-7949-7156-2 C0095

Publication Date: September 2019

URL: https://www.shobunsha.co.jp/?p=5493