Mourning Recipe (2013 Film)

Mourning Recipe (Japanese: 四十九日のレシピ, Hepburn: Shijuukunichi no Reshipi) is a 2013 Japanese drama film directed by Yuki Tanada. The film is based on the 2010 novel of the same name by author Yuki Ibuki.

Promotional poster for the film Mourning Recipe

Plot

The story follows Ryohei, a man struggling to cope with the sudden death of his wife. Two weeks after her passing, a woman appears and presents him with a recipe left behind by his late spouse. Simultaneously, Ryohei's daughter, Yuriko, returns home while facing the impending collapse of her own marriage. Through the guidance provided by her mother's legacy, the family members begin to address their personal grief and work toward moving forward.

Production

The film was adapted for the screen by Hisako Kurosawa. Principal photography commenced on October 31, 2012, and lasted for approximately one month. The production team filmed on location in the Gifu and Aichi prefectures of Japan.

Cast

Hiromi Nagasaku as Yuriko
Renji Ishibashi as Ryohei
Masaki Okada as Harumi
Fumi Nikaido as Imo
Taizo Harada as Hiroyuki
Keiko Awaji as Tamako

Release and Festivals

Mourning Recipe was released in Japan on November 9, 2013. The film was screened at several international film festivals, including the 37th Montreal World Film Festival in August 2013 and the 33rd Hawaii International Film Festival in October 2013, where it held its U.S. premiere.

Scene from the film — A scene from the film