Flavor of Happiness

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Movie: Flavor of Happiness
Romaji: Shiawase no Kaori
Japanese: しあわせのかおり
Director: Mitsuhiro Mihara
Assistant Director: Masaharu Take
Writer: Mitsuhiro Mihara
Producer: Kazushi Miki, Toshiya Nomura
Cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa
Release Date: October 11, 2008
Runtime: 124 min.
Genre: Drama / Food
Studio: Toei
Distributor: Toei
Language: Japanese
Country: Japan

Plot

Yamashita Takako (Miki Nakatani) works in the food section of a department store. She pays frequent visits to a reputable local Chinese restaurant about opening an in-store branch. The owner of the restaurant, Wang Qingkuo (Tatsuya Fuji) from Shanghai, who does all the cooking by himself, gives Takako the brush-off. One day, however, Wang collapses due to overwork, and is left with partial paralysis. Hearing the rumor of the restaurant’s closure, Takako resigns from the department store and becomes an apprentice to Wang. Takako’s skill gradually improves and she participates in the chefs’ gathering, which Wang has withdrawn from, with her oyster cuisine, when a case of food poisoning occurs. Takako is cleared of suspicion as the source, however, she withdraws to her house. When Wang visits her, Takako tearfully pours out her feelings. Wang decides to let Takako manage a dinner party which is requested by a company president he has known for years, and he takes her to Shanghai. The dinner party is a big success, and Wang looks beaming as he cooks his favorite dish at the end.

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Film Festivals

2009 (29th) Hawaii International Film Festival - October 15th-25th - Spotlight on Japan

Comments

Comment #13
gregory Says:
Oct 24 2011 1:34 pm

need an english subtitled copy of this movie. help!
Comment #12
Drew Simels Says:
Jul 30 2010 9:52 am

Would somebody please get back to me? I am from NYC, NY, in the USA. I saw a movie recently here in NYC. The script was based on a novel by a writer named Kaori Eguni. This was a wonderful movie experience and the author seems to be not well known here in the USA. So I am asking: would anyone connected with this website please communicate with me? My e-mail address: neilinnyc1@yahoo.com.
Comment #11
Dan Says:
Sep 24 2009 8:04 am

I've learned that there is an English subtitled version which just came out for Region 3 DVDs, so they won't play on American or European DVD players. Still hoping for a Region 1 version.
Comment #10
Amanda Frost Says:
Jul 18 2009 1:03 pm

Yet another plea for a subtitled DVD. I too saw this movie on a plane (AIr France) and loved it.
Comment #9
CL Says:
Jul 09 2009 3:27 am

Another plea for a DVD with English subtitle, as I saw it on an Emirates flight
Comment #8
Johnny Noname Says:
Jun 16 2009 9:56 am

Ah, that Anchell bastid again.....
Comment #7
marilee Says:
Apr 24 2009 4:29 pm

can i get this movie in south africa
Comment #6
marilee Says:
Apr 24 2009 4:27 pm

where can i get this movie with english subtitles?
Comment #5
David Says:
Mar 27 2009 3:36 am

Iasked my friend in Tokyo to track it down, this is what he said:

Regarding the "Flavour of Happiness," it seems the one that will be released on 10 April here, is the only DVD available.

Article No.: VPBT-13299 "SHIAWASE NO KAORI"
* Edition Details
Running Time: 124 minutes
NTSC Format
Layers: single-sided/dual-layered
Aspect Ratio(s): 16:9
Region Code: 2 (Japan, Europe, Middle East, and South Africa only) Color
Encoding: MPEG-2
Subtitles: None
Audio Track :
Japanese: Dolby Digital Stereo

The sole distributor, VAP, replied that the DVD comes with no English subtitle, and they have no plan to release the one with the English subtitle.
Also this comes in the NTSC format, so your PC may be able to play the movie, but only a selected models of DVD palyer may be able to switch PAL/NTSC to play this DVD.

I understand a movie distributor prepare their version with subtitles in language required by airline when they sell a package of movies to airline, so that's different from what the film company distribute for sale.

So now it's time for you to start learning Japanese!
Comment #4
David Anchell Says:
Mar 26 2009 5:31 am

Yes, I've seen it on a flight too - and loved it (I'm into Asian food) and I'd like a DVD copy. If anyone hears how to get one.................
Comment #3
WikiSysop Says:
Mar 24 2009 12:43 am

Not on DVD yet Lance. Hopefully they will release this film with English subtitles. I would love to watch this myself.
Comment #2
Lance Says:
Mar 24 2009 12:27 am

I saw the movie on a Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Perth Australia. It was one of the nicest movies I have seen in years, I thought it was fantastic. Is it available on DVD?
Comment #1
Adrianne Says:
Mar 21 2009 3:29 pm

Do you know where I can get a copy of this movie with English subtitles?