Directed by Sofia Coppola.
Written by Sofia Coppola.
Starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson.
United States/Japan, 2003, color, 102 min, English.
Set in Tokyo, Japan, this film revolved around the themes of alienation and disconnection against a backdrop of cultural displacement in a foreign country. While Sofia Coppola tried to explore a broader theme of human connection/disconnection, she began forming this "romantic melancholy" between a fading Hollywood star and a recent college graduate and newlywed when she was briefly staying in Japan and centered the story around cultural differences between the US and Japan. Further success (with limited criticism on its portrayal of Japan/Japanese culture) in film festivals, awards ceremonies, and box office made this film seem even more attractive.