
🎬 Title: The Zen Diary / 土を喰らう十二ヵ月
Food is essential for life and a symbol of love; it’s said that meals bring the most joy when shared with others.
Story: Tsutomu resides in the serene mountains, dedicating his time to writing essays and preparing Zen-inspired dishes using his homegrown vegetables and foraged mushrooms. His solitary life takes an uplifting turn when Machiko, his editor and romantic interest, makes occasional visits. While Tsutomu appears content with his quiet existence, he struggles with the lingering presence of his late wife’s ashes, who passed away 13 years ago.
⭐ Rating: 6.889 (9 votes)
📅 Release date: November 11, 2022
⏱️ Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
🎭 Genres: Drama
🎬 Director: Yuji Nakae
✍️ Writer: Yuji Nakae
🌍 Countries: Japan
🏢 Production companies: Office Shirous

👥 Cast: Kenji Sawada (Tsutomu), Takako Matsu (Machiko), Naomi Nishida (Mika), Toshinori Omi (Ryu), Fumi Dan (Fumiko), Shōhei Hino (Carpenter), Tomoko Naraoka (Chie), Koihachi Takigawa (Photographer)
Editor’s note: Here’s a brief overview of The Zen Diary (2022): This film is a poignant drama that intertwines personal narratives with everyday life. Directed by Yuji Nakae, it maintains a gentle pace and effectively portrays its setting. The performances by Kenji Sawada, Takako Matsu, and Naomi Nishida are sincere and understated. With a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes, it aligns well with its thematic content. While there are minor imperfections, the film’s emotional depth makes it worthwhile. Its tagline—“Food is essential for life and a symbol of love; it’s said that meals bring the most joy when shared with others.”—captures its essence well. If the storyline resonates with you, consider adding it to your watchlist.
More Info:
View The Zen Diary on TMDB
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