Japanese Remake Remakes Dream

Since high school, my dream has been to be an extra in Japanese movies. While a rather bizarre goal for an American with no Japanese ancestry or ties, achieving it has been an adventure. I learned to speak Japanese, moved to Japan, and worked as a school teacher while applying to be an extra. Last September, I moved to Napa to work for the Wine Train, and I had still never been in a movie. My dream would have to wait.
In November I heard that a Japanese remake of "Sideways" was being filmed in Napa. I applied to be an extra and was, finally, accepted. I enjoyed a night of filming, then waited months for news.
In June, the Wine Train sent me to Japan as part of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) Japan Mission. The CTTC Mission and members of the Japanese press were invited to a special prescreening of the Japanese "Sideways". I was overjoyed when the back of my head appeared on screen.
I'm thrilled to be in the movie, and even more thrilled with the movie itself. "Sideways" is a romantic comedy about how love and wine need time to mature, and Napa Valley is the best place for both. The film made me want to visit Napa Valley and drink Napa wines, and the press seems to have felt the same. The Napa Valley Wine Train is looking forward to welcoming Japanese travelers, and working together with other Napa businesses to help exceed our visitor's expectations.