Annyeong Yumika (2009)

A tender, funny, and deeply cinematic tribute to Yumika Hayashi, the unforgettable icon of Japanese pink eiga who left the world far too soon.

Annyeong Yumika - Movie Information

  • Original Title: あんにょん由美香
  • Release Year: 2009
  • Directed by: Tetsuaki Matsue
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Documentary
  • Runtime: 2h 0m
  • Original Language: Japanese
  • Spoken Languages: Japanese
  • Release Date (Theatrical): July 11, 2009 (Japan)
  • Alternative Titles: 안녕 유미카 (KR), Annyon Yumika (JP)
  • Production Countries: Japan

Annyeong Yumika - Plot

Don't get it twisted: Yumika Hayashi is way more than just a porn star. She's a Rorschach test, film theory with curves, her screen image throwing off endless refractions within the hearts of those who knew her, loved her, or just got off to her. The "iron woman" of Japanese erotic film, best known for critically-acclaimed pink eiga LUNCHBOX, Hayashi died in 2005 at age 35, but in ANNYONG YUMIKA, the new documentary by Tetsuaki Matsue (LIVE TAPE), Yumika's legend is reborn, her passion made immortal. (Description by Subway Cinema)

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Annyeong Yumika - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Tetsuaki Matsue

Main Cast

  • Lemon Hanazawa
  • Katsuyuki Hirano
  • Kôji Irie
  • Company Matsuo
  • Shunpei Mizuno
  • Kiichiro Yanashita

Annyeong Yumika - FAQs

Who is Yumika Hayashi in Annyeong Yumika?

Yumika Hayashi was a celebrated Japanese actress best known for her work in pink eiga, the critically regarded erotic film genre. Often called the "iron woman" of Japanese erotic cinema, she gained wide recognition for the film Lunchbox before her death in 2005 at age 35.

What is Annyeong Yumika about?

Annyeong Yumika is a documentary portrait of Yumika Hayashi, a beloved figure in Japanese erotic cinema who passed away in 2005. Director Tetsuaki Matsue gathers the memories of those who knew and loved her, weaving together a tribute that is both intimate and celebratory, touching and unexpectedly funny.

Who directed Annyeong Yumika?

Annyeong Yumika was directed by Tetsuaki Matsue, a Japanese filmmaker also known for Live Tape. Matsue brings a personal, observational sensibility to this documentary, crafting a tribute that feels both heartfelt and cinematically inventive rather than a conventional biographical portrait.

When was Annyeong Yumika released?

Annyeong Yumika had its Japanese release on July 11, 2009. The film went on to gain international attention through festival screenings, introducing Yumika Hayashi's remarkable story and legacy to audiences well beyond Japan.

What is pink eiga and why does it matter here?

Pink eiga is a Japanese film genre blending erotic content with genuine artistic ambition — think low-budget productions that often pushed creative boundaries. Yumika Hayashi was one of its most celebrated figures, and Annyeong Yumika uses her story to explore what pink eiga meant culturally and personally to its participants and fans.

What genre is Annyeong Yumika?

Annyeong Yumika is a documentary film. It blends personal testimony, archival material, and a reflective cinematic approach to tell the story of Yumika Hayashi, making it as much a meditation on memory and desire as a straightforward biographical account.

How long is Annyeong Yumika?

Annyeong Yumika runs for approximately 120 minutes, or two hours. The runtime gives director Tetsuaki Matsue ample space to build a layered, unhurried portrait of Yumika Hayashi through the voices and memories of the people who were closest to her.

What are some documentaries similar to Annyeong Yumika?

If Annyeong Yumika resonated with you, you might enjoy Love, Antosha (2019), a similarly intimate tribute to a lost performer, or Heart of a Dog (2015) for its poetic approach to grief and memory. Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me (2023) and Being James Bond (2021) also explore celebrity through a personal lens.

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