The deadline for appeal in the Noriko Sakai (38) case passed on Tuesday night, finalizing the 18-month sentence (suspended for 3 years) that she received on November 9. Although the trial is over, the case is still on the media's mind, and an upcoming movie will extend the story for at least a couple more months.

Film distributor Psydirec announced that shooting has already started for a movie titled "Setsuna," a semi-documentary about the Sakai scandal. Masao Kasahara is directing the picture, which is based on the book "Sakai Noriko: Kakusareta Sugao" by entertainment reporter Masaru Nashimoto. The lead actress is said to be a former top star of the Takarazuka's Snow Troupe, though the specific name has not yet been publicly revealed.

"Setsuna" is expected to be released in January 2010.