Archive of films Taste of Tea / Cha no aji

Japan
2003, 143 min

Section: Another View
Year: 2004

The fact that peace and love bless the Haruno family’s everyday existence doesn’t mean that things are boring. Reality and imagination in their lives are blended with the heady simplicity of the fragrance rising from their tea cups. What is the family to do when dad’s brother, a successful manga author, asks for something special for his birthday?

Synopsis

The Haruno family live in a town in the mountains connected to the metropolis by rail. Reality and imagination in the lives of the Harunos are blended with the heady simplicity of the fragrance rising from their tea cups. But the fact that peace and love bless their everyday existence doesn’t mean that things are boring. Six-year-old Sachiko is harried at home and school by an imagined massive twin. Her older brother Hajime is trying to impress an attractive new classmate. Their eccentric grandfather – a retired animator – only retains his professional interest in the animation of his own body. The father, Nobuo – a therapeutic hypnotist – sometimes enjoys practising on his own family. Yoshiko, the mom, bears it all with an understanding smile. She has her own cares – to resume her career as an animator, thus carrying on the family tradition. Mom’s brother, Ayano, returns to his hometown after being hit by a wave of nostalgia. And what is the family to do when dad’s brother, a successful manga author, asks for something special for his birthday?

About the director

Katsuhito Ishii (b. 1966, Niigata, Japan) started out in 1992 directing commercials which brought him several awards. In 1996 he shot his first short film, The Promise of August, which took the Grand Prix at the Yubari IFF. He came out with his feature debut two years later, Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl (Samehada otoko to momojiri onna, 1998), inspired by Minetaro Mochizuki’s manga novel. His next picture, Party 7 (2000), was a grand success. In 2001-02 he wrote and directed two series of short animated films: Hal & Bons (in 3D) and Trava (2D). He furthered his animation reputation with the anime sequences in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill. He in turn used the services of Takeshi Koike for the animation in Party 7 and The Taste of Tea (Cha no Aji).

Contacts

Grasshoppa! Films Production
3-5-4 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, 150 0012, Tokyo
Japan
Tel: +81 3 340 706 83
Fax: +81 3 340 706 83
www: www.grasshoppa.jp

About the film

Color, 35 mm

Section:	Another View

Director:	Katsuhito Ishii
Screenplay:	Katsuhito Ishii
Dir. of Photography:	Kosuke Matsushima
Music:	Little Tempo
Editor:	Katsuhito Ishii
Producer:	Kazuto Takida, Kazunori Wadakura
Production:	Grasshoppa! Films Production
Cast:	Maya Banno, Takahiro Sato, Tadanobu Asano, Satomi Tezuka, Tomokazu Miura, Tatsuya Gasyuin, Ikki Todoroki, Tomoko Nakajima
Contact:	Grasshoppa! Films Production

www:	www.chanoaji.jp