Relatively new actor Shunsuke Daito has been selected to star in the movie "Ashoro Yori," based on an autobiographical novel by folk singer Chiharu Matsuyama.

"Ashoro Yori" was published by Matsuyama in 1979, two years after his debut. It became a hit, selling more than 700,000 copies. It went out of print in 1981, but it was reissued in May of last year. Based on the sales of the reissue and a drama CD version, a film version was decided.

The story follows Matsuyama's life from his meeting with the late radio director Kenji Takeda, who guided Matsuyama to fame, to his major debut. Masato Hagiwara will play the role of Takeda.

The film, directed by Kazuhisa Imai, is said to have a budget of about 300 million yen. Filming begins next spring in Ashoro, Hokkaido, and theatrical release is scheduled for November.