Omotenashi

Omotenashi

2DCS/ES15
Director:Jay Chern
Cast:TANAKA Rena, Wang Bo-Chieh, YO Kimiko
Premiere:25. February 2022
Length:96 minutes
Genre:Drama

Director: Jay Chern  •  Cast: TANAKA Rena, Wang Bo-Chieh, YO Kimiko

“Life without remorse is not a very good life.” Taiwanese director Jay Chern presents the art of traditional Japanese hospitality, called ‘omotenashi’ in its entirety, in his full-length debut. Young and arrogant corporate exec Jackie is sent to Japan to prepare a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, for refurbishment and sale. Perhaps to attract to his ex-girlfriend, Jackie decides to rebuild the inn on the shore of Lake Biwa into a wedding hotel. However, the place is managed by innkeeper Mitsuko and her daughter Rika, and they have a completely different ideas about the future.

The film will definitely intrigue an audience that appreciates beautiful depictions of the perfect Japanese culture whose depths they can explore through the story on the screen along with the young and cynical businessman who discovers the values of modesty and humility and the depths of human relationships in the environs of an ancient inn that he originally wanted to destroy. The film is also a picturesque rural romance with inter-generational conflicts that lets viewers savour the historical Kyoto setting.

Actress Tanaka Rena played in Dear Etranger and Jo Kimiko played in Departures, both films that we featured in the past editions of our festival.

2018 Hong Kong International Film Festival

2018 Almaty Film Festival

2018 Chongqing Youth Film Festival

2018 Asian Film Festival Barcelona

2018 Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival

© Shochiku Studio / Epic Entertainment

Length: 96 min

Year: 2018
Local premiere date: 25. February 2022
World premiere date: 3. March 2018

Country of origin:

  • Japan
  • Taiwan

Director: Jay Chern  •  Cast: TANAKA Rena, Wang Bo-Chieh, YO Kimiko

“Life without remorse is not a very good life.” Taiwanese director Jay Chern presents the art of traditional Japanese hospitality, called ‘omotenashi’ in its entirety, in his full-length debut. Young and arrogant corporate exec Jackie is sent to Japan to prepare a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, for refurbishment and sale. Perhaps to attract to his ex-girlfriend, Jackie decides to rebuild the inn on the shore of Lake Biwa into a wedding hotel. However, the place is managed by innkeeper Mitsuko and her daughter Rika, and they have a completely different ideas about the future.

The film will definitely intrigue an audience that appreciates beautiful depictions of the perfect Japanese culture whose depths they can explore through the story on the screen along with the young and cynical businessman who discovers the values of modesty and humility and the depths of human relationships in the environs of an ancient inn that he originally wanted to destroy. The film is also a picturesque rural romance with inter-generational conflicts that lets viewers savour the historical Kyoto setting.

Actress Tanaka Rena played in Dear Etranger and Jo Kimiko played in Departures, both films that we featured in the past editions of our festival.

2018 Hong Kong International Film Festival

2018 Almaty Film Festival

2018 Chongqing Youth Film Festival

2018 Asian Film Festival Barcelona

2018 Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival

© Shochiku Studio / Epic Entertainment

Year: 2018
Local premiere date: 25. February 2022
World premiere date: 3. March 2018

Country of origin:

  • Japan
  • Taiwan