I didn’t understand how much a simple dish could mean to the human spirit until I went to college.
That personal experience later brought me to the movie Little Forest.
Enjoy the four seasons
Little Forest is adapted from the comic of the same name, which made a big splash at the time of its release thanks to its creative and unique storytelling style.
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The film’s structure is clearly divided but maintains a consistent rhythm throughout – the four seasons in Komori, the female protagonist grows, prepares and enjoys dishes every day according to the philosophy of `food in every season`.
When the humidity rises in mid-Summer, Ichiko lights the wood stove to dry and doesn’t forget to brew a piece of bread.
In fact, that philosophy of eating naturally was initiated by Agricultural Researcher Masanobu Fukuoka, and has made a great contribution to the formation of contemporary Japanese culinary culture.
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However, the special thing about Little Forest is that the film does not idealize a natural life.
Right from the first step of the story, the audience understood that all of Ichiko’s life skills were taught by her mother.
In Japanese cinema in particular and Asian cinema in general, meals always occupy an important position.
Watching the final scenes of the movie, I couldn’t help but remember something that Mr. Masanobu Fukuoka exclaimed: `Just living close to the source of everything gives meaning and basic satisfaction.