The American film distributor Kino Lorber has set up a series of theatrical screenings for Sweet Bean, the 2015 film from acclaimed director Naomi Kawase. It has had a long journey on the festival circuit starting at Cannes last year and heading to Rotterdam last month. The American release covers some major cities:
Lincoln Plaza Cinema New York NY March 18-24, 2016
Landmark Midtown Art Cinema Atlanta GA April 1-7, 2016
Laemmle theaters – LA Los Angeles CA April 8-14, 2016
Sundance Kabuki Cinemas San Francisco CA April 8-14, 2016
Gene Siskel Film Center Chicago IL April 8-14, 2016
The Japan Society in New York have also organised a preview screening on March 03rd at 7 PM. To find out more about the screenings and to book tickets, head over to the Kino Lorber site.
Sweet Bean
あん「An」
Running Time: 113 mins.
Director: Naomi Kawase,
Writer: Naomi Kawase (Screenplay), Durian Sukegawa (Original Novel),
Starring: Masatoshi Nagase, Kirin Kiki, Kyara Uchida, Etsuko Ichihara, Miki Mizuno, Taiga, Wakato Kanematsu, Miyoko Asada.
Synopsis: After getting released from prison Sentarou (Masatoshi Nagase) heads to the suburbs of Tokyo and works hard to become the manager of a dorayaki bakery store. He is a skilled at cooking but lacks passion because of troubling memories. An older woman, Tokue (Kirin Kiki) asks to work at the store, making the sweet red bean paste that fills the dorayaki. Sentarou is an introverted loner but gives the lady a shot. Tokue brings cheer to the place despite the low wage and her sweet red beans become popular (far more than anything Sentarou makes) and her presence is welcomed by the customers. The store flourishes, but a rumour spreads that Tokue once had an illness
Genkinahito 