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The Zen Diary (PG)

土を喰らう十二ヵ月 (Tsuchi o kurau junika getsu)

Sat 09 Mar 2024

The Zen Diary (PG)

土を喰らう十二ヵ月 (Tsuchi o kurau junika getsu)

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024

Dir. NAKAE Yuji
2022 | 111 mins | Japan
Japanese with English Subtitles
SAWADA Kenji, MATSU Takako, NARAOKA Tomoko, DAN Fumi

Tsutomu is a writer who lives with his dog, quirky mother-in-law, Chie, and the ashes of his late wife, Yaeko. They are happy in a secluded mountain cabin in Nagano, on Honshu island where Tsutomu days are filled with harvesting vegetables, which he uses to prepare his meals using the skills and methods he learnt living as a young boy in a temple. His girlfriend and editor, Machiko occasionally visits from Tokyo and their shared love and respect for cooking deepens their relationship.

When Chie dies unexpectedly Tsutomu has to find a way to face his loss as he takes on the task of arranging her funeral, which involves a huge commemorative feast.
The Zen Diary is based on one of Japan’s leading authors, MIZUKAMI Tsutomu’s essay on food and cooking. This gentle film presents a full array of zen cuisine recipes alonside beautiful sceneries of Japan’s four seasons as it weaves together the pleasures of food, memory and a simple life.

The Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme 2024
Unforgettable: Memories, Times and Reflections in Japanese Cinema

The UK’s largest festival of Japanese cinema, the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme (JFTFP24), returns with its biggest showcase ever.

Memories play a powerful role in the mind. Shaped fluidly by individuals or time, they have been a source of inspiration for many filmmakers, fuelling their creativity to craft colourful stories. The JFTFP24 delves into Japanese cinema to explore how memories are employed in the cinematic voices of Japanese filmmakers, from films where memories are a focal point to works where they play a subliminal role in driving or affecting people’s minds and behaviour.

With an incredibly diverse range of films all based on memories, time, and reflections, this year’s programme is set to provide UK audiences with memorable stories and unforgettable moments.