A Fascinating Look at the Impact of Japanese Cuisine on
America and the World
This full-length feature documentary features the origins of the traditional food of Japan, or Wa-Shoku, in America and explores the history, impact and fascination of all Japanese cuisine—not just Sushi—and its continuing global popularity. Included in the documentary is the story of Noritoshi Kanai, Chairman of Mutual Trading Co., the revolutionary man who introduced the US to Wa-Shoku with Sushi—a delicacy that would become a cultural phenomenon and still enjoys tremendous popularity to this day.
Director Suzuki provides intimate behind-the-scenes stories of well-known chefs who express their passion for Wa-Shoku and how they have dedicated their lives to uphold the standard of excellence of Japan’s customary cultural cuisine. This film features many noteworthy celebrity chefs including, Nobu Matsuhisa, chef/owner of Nobu restaurants, Katsuya Uechi, chef/owner of Katsu-ya group, Tyson Cole, chef/owner of Uchi restaurant, world-renown French chef Joël Robuchon, Yoshihiro Murata chef/owner of Kyoto Kikunoi, and more. This full-length feature documentary, which runs just under 107 minutes, looks at the past and at the future possibilities of Wa-Shoku.
WA-SHOKU: Beyond Sushi will open with a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena. April 10th to April 16th, and in New York’s Cinema Village, April 24th to April 30th. The film will be available April 10th as a digital download on iTunes.