Lovers lie, don’t they? When they say “I love you,” they may be really thinking, “You’ll do for the moment, but I still have feelings for someone else,” typically an ex who still holds a place in their hearts or remains a dark obsession. This situation — common enough in real life — doesn’t drive many Japanese romantic dramas, which have a default “pure love” setting.

But it is central to “Colorless,” a sure-footed first feature by Takashi Koyama based on a prize-winning submission to a contest for trailers of yet-to-be-made films. Despite its theme of duplicity in love, the film is not an exercise in black-comic cynicism.

The two protagonists — a struggling photographer (Daichi Kaneko) and an aspiring model/actress (Ruka Ishikawa) — begin as types seen in Japan or anywhere: Both have vague aspirations but little in the way of purpose. They go with the flow and take on whatever protective coloration they need to survive. They are chameleons on the make — and are made for each other.