This year’s Hawaii International Film Festival, running from Thursday to Oct. 20, offers a handful of food-related films from China and South Korea, Japan, Ireland and Spain, Taiwan and the U.S. Here’s a quick lineup:
» "Final Recipe" (8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dole Cannery): This drama stars Michelle Yeoh and K-pop star Henry Lau in the story of a woman, her chef husband and a prestigious culinary competition. The wife realizes a young prodigy who’s taking the contest by storm may have ties to her husband.
» "The God of Ramen" (6:15 p.m. Oct. 15, Dole Cannery; 1 p.m. Oct. 17, Koko Marina; 5 p.m. Oct. 19, Dole Cannery): A profile of ramen master Kazuo Yamagishi, who opened his shop 50 years ago and draws customers from all over Japan.
» "Jadoo" (7:15 p.m. Oct. 16, Dole Cannery E; 1 p.m. Oct. 18, Koko Marina): This offering from the United Kingdom tells the tale of two chef brothers who feud and tear the family recipe collection in half. One brother serves starters; the other, entrees. They set up rival restaurants on the same road and try to outdo one another.
» "A Tale of Samurai Cooking: A True Love Story" (1:30 p.m. Sunday, Koko Marina; 6:15 p.m. Monday, Dole Cannery; 3:15 Oct. 16, Dole Cannery): A saga set in the Edo period follows Oharu, recognized for her culinary skills. She marries into a family that serves as cooks for the Kaga domain, among the richest in the nation. Their dilemma: Her husband is a terrible cook, and Oharu must teach him.
» "Tasting Menu" (8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dole Cannery; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Dole Cannery): This witty ensemble comedy follows the closing of one of the greatest restaurants in the world. The staff prepares an audacious menu while former lovers reunite and a widow dines with her husband’s ashes.
» "Mourning Recipe" (6:45 p.m. Saturday, Dole Cannery; 3 p.m. Monday, Dole Cannery; 3:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Koko Marina): A grieving widower and his daughter receive a book belonging to his late wife that contains "recipes for happiness." Along with friends, they follow the recipes.
» "Zone Pro Site: The Movable Feast" (3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dole Cannery; 6 p.m. Oct. 17, Koko Marina): Taiwan’s highest-grossing film this year centers on the art of "bandoh," the traditional Taiwanese outdoor banquet. On his deathbed a bandoh master tries to pass his secret recipes to his daughter, but she wants out of the family business. Then misfortune has her pinning her hopes on a bandoh competition with a huge prize.
» "Spinning Plates" (7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 special screening, Hawaii Theatre): Documentary about three restaurants extraordinary for the challenges they have overcome: a restaurant named among the best in the world, whose chef must battle a life-threatening issue; a 150-year-old family eatery that has a deep bond with its community; and a fledgling restaurant whose owners put everything on the line to provide for their child.
