The Zen Diary’ is coming to theatres in Canada!
Starring Kenji Sawada, the film ‘The Zen Diary’ will be in theatres in Canada! The collaboration with the famous culinary specialist Yoshiharu Doi allowed the film to highlight seasonal Japanese cuisines. As this film depicts Buddhist vegetarian cuisine and the sustainable lifestyle of the main character, Tsutomu, it is gaining greater attention in Canada, characterized by its diverse food culture. The film will be screened at multiple locations in Canada distributed by Momo Films, Canada’s first distribution company focusing on Japanese films. The screening will be held at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival (TJFF) on Saturday, June 17, from 7pmat the Japanese Canadian Culture Centre, June 24th and 26th at ByTowne Cinema in Ottawa, as well as at the VIFF centre,home of the Vancouver Film Festival, in September.
In addition, we are delighted to announce that local restaurants, shops, and Japanese companies, including Ramen RAIJIN, Azuma Foods (Canada), Kabukizakura, Ozawa Canada, Toronto Buddhist Church, Tsuchi Cafe, and ITOEN will be sponsoring the film! Furthermore, at the screening at the Toronto Japanese Film Festival on Saturday June 17, first 300 audience will receive a cute and handy shopping bag with an illustration of “Takowasa” by Azuma Foods (Canada) and tea products by ITOEN!
・Title: The Zen Diary
Director: Yuji Nakae
Casts: Kenji Sawada, Takako Matsu, Naomi Nishida, Toshinori Omi, Koihachi Takigawa, Fumi Dan, Shohei Hino, Tomoko Naraoka
Writer: Yuji Nakae
Based on the book by Tsutomu Mizukami
Cooking: Yoshiharu Doi
・Synopsis:
Tsutomu lives alone in the mountains, writing essays and cooking food with vegetables he grows and mushrooms he picks in the hills. His routine is happily disturbed when Machiko, his editor/love interest, occasionally visits. She loves to eat, and he loves to cook for her. Tsutomu seems content with his daily life. On the other hand, he still hasn’t let go of his wife’s ashes, although she died 13 years ago. A close brush with death will now force him to decide what he values most in life and what he must choose going forward.
・Trailer:
Toronto Japanese Film Festival (TJFF) Official Website (Screening at 7pm on June 17th)
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