Kitchen

1989 | Japan | Colour | 106 min | In Japanese with English and Traditional Chinese Subtitles

Sakurai Mikage (Ayako Kawahara) orphaned at an early age. After the death of her last living relative, her grandmother, she is invited to live with Yuichi (Keiji Matsuda), a young man who knew her grandmother. In an unusual twist, Yuichi's mother is actually a man—his father. Thus, Mikage begins a peculiar life with them.

Based on the debut novel by Banana Yoshimoto, Kitchen won the Haiyan Newcomer Award and became a bestseller. Yoshimitsu Morita’s adaptation explores transcendent gender roles through a clean visual aesthetic featuring furniture, plants, stainless steel kitchenware, and streetcars, creating a unique, inorganic sensibility. Kawahara's refreshing charm, alongside Koji Hashizume's eccentricity and Matsuda's enigmatic presence, aligns perfectly with the film's tone, highlighting the loneliness that arises from prosperity.

Scenic Portraits of Family: A Selection of Works by Yoshimitsu Morita
As one of the pioneering figures of Japanese cinema in the 1980s, Yoshimitsu Morita (1950-2011) left an indelible mark on the film landscape with his distinctive style and techniques. His works, from stark modern portrayals to tender emotional explorations, still resonate profoundly today. Among his many talents, Morita’s remarkable ability to adapt literary works showcases his skill in bridging different eras, creating vivid landscapes through the interplay of text and film. The program, Scenic Portraits of Family: A Selection of Works by Yoshimitsu Morita, invites audiences to revisit the expressive cinematic universe of Morita through a curated selection of four films that focus on the theme of family. Each of these films, adapted from literature, presents diverse narratives that reflect the complexities of familial relationships and the human experience.

Born in Tokyo in 1950, Morita began his journey in film during his high school and university years, where he published film critiques and created 8mm films. His debut feature, Something Like It (1981), garnered critical acclaim, winning Best Film and Best New Director at the Yokohama Film Festival. The pinnacle of his early career was marked by The Family Game (1983), followed by notable works such as Deaths in Tokimeki (1984) and Main Theme (1984). His adaptation of Natsume Soseki’s And Then (1985) opened the door to literary adaptations, while Paradise Lost (1997), based on Jun'ichi Watanabe's novel, caused a sensation and sparked widespread social discussion. Morita continued to create acclaimed films, including The Black House (1999), Copycat Killer (2002), Like Asura (2003), and The Mamiya Brothers (2006). Unfortunately, Yoshimitsu Morita passed away in Tokyo in 2011 at the age of 61 due to liver failure, leaving behind a rich legacy of cinematic artistry.

Honkaz Fung (Curator)

Date and time
(1) 23 Nov, 2024 (Sat)　15:10
(2) 6, Dec, 2024 (Fri)　19:20
Ticket price

Regular: HK$95, MCL MAX Members: HK$85, Children / Full-time students / Elderly: HK$75

Ticketing

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