Sunday, June 8, 2008. Location: Akihabara, Tokyo's "Electric Town"...

A 25 year old man named Tomohiro Kato drives a truck into the weekend crowds and then goes a stabbing spree, killing some and injuring others. A sensational trial resulted after his capture, and Kato was sentenced to death by the Tokyo District Court. He is currently appealing.

Now, the Sponichi news site in Japan reports that RIVER, a movie inspired by this event, is set to premiere at Tokyo Filmex next month.

Award-winning filmmaker Ryuichi Hiroki (Bride With 1 Month to Live) directed and wrote the film. He says, "Even though it was a shocking incident, with the passage of time fewer people are talking about it. I wanted to make sure it is remembered by making it into a movie."  

Although at least one scene was shot at the actual site of Kato's rampage, the director insists that this is also a film about "the pain of losing a loved one." 

Still from the film below: 

Actress Misako Renbutsu (right) is cast as a woman who wanders into Akihabara retracing the steps of her dead otaku boyfriend.

RIVER will have a wider release in March 2012.