Friday film // week 8

A tribute to the simpler things in life.

In this week’s Friday film we slow things down, and follow a low-key and charming story about Japanese cooking in modern-day Japan, with a backdrop of beautiful cherry blossoms.

Friday film: Sweet Bean/ An

Sentaro makes dorayakis with “an” (sweet bean paste) that he sells from his little café. One day 76-year-old Tokue shows up, insisting that she make dorayakis with her own filling. Sentaro and Tokue enlist the help of schoolgirl Wakana, making the café seem like a family business, with the three generations at work.

The film is based on bestselling novel “Sweet Bean Paste” (“An”) by Durian Sukegawa. An is a little filmatic masterpiece where director Naomi Kawase in her brilliant way delivers a slow and meaningful experience with a simple, emotional story.

The film has won several prices, and was nominated for the Un Certain Regard-award in Cannes.

Watch it here.

Published: 18/02/2025   Last updated: 18/02/2025