Photo/Illutration Shinobu Terajima (Photo by Noriko Yamamoto)

One star of the film “2 Women” said she felt like the person who inspired her character was helping guide her through the production.

In the film, writer Miharu Osanai (played by Shinobu Terajima) becomes romantically involved with fellow writer Atsuro Shiraki (Etsushi Toyokawa) while Shiraki’s wife, Shoko (Ryoko Hirosue), is expecting their second child.

The film is based on a novel by Areno Inoue, which portrays a unique relationship among three characters modeled after real-life people close to her: nun and author Jakucho Setouchi, who died last year at age 99; Inoue’s writer-father, Mitsuharu Inoue (1926-1992); and Inoue’s mother, who stayed married to her father even though she knew he was having an affair with Setouchi.

Terajima said she has read many works written by Setouchi before the writer became a Buddhist nun.

“I never met her in person, but there were many moments during filming when I felt like she was helping me in some way,” she said.

The star was touched by the passion and unrepentant way of life of Setouchi, who continued writing even as she was criticized for her semi-autobiographical novels inspired by her love affairs.

Atsuro in the film is a liar, selfish and unlikable, yet the film refuses to condemn any characters or Miharu’s weaknesses.

“That’s what makes (director) Ryuichi Hiroki who he is,” Terajima said. “It feels like he is providing us with a new perspective to see the three characters spending time together in a matter-of-fact way.

“I think it is a film that can be viewed from various angles.”

Miharu decides to become a nun and so puts an end to her affair with Shiraki.

There is an emotionally charged scene in which Miharu holds Shoko’s hands, representing empathy that can only be understood between the two women.

Terajima said she improvised the scene.

“I felt that I wanted to touch her hands. I had thought what was important was the balance between Miharu and Shoko, but I think Hirosue gave (Shoko) quite a presence.”

Born in Kyoto in 1972, Terajima previously worked with Hiroki on “It’s Only Talk” (2006) and “Vibrator” (2003), which won her the Best Actress Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

She received the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival for her performance in “Caterpillar.”

“2 Women” is currently showing in theaters across Japan.

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