COME BACK ANYTIME
The story of the master who created a community in Tokyo, one bowl of ramen at a time
One of the sweetest and most enjoyable films of the year. It will restore your faith in humanity.
— Graeme Tuckett Stuff.co.nz
Probably the best movie I've ever seen on the topic of the food culture of Japan.
— Adam Platt Chief restaurant critic, New York Magazine
Culinary documentary filmmaking at its finest. The Jiro Dreams of Sushi of ramen movies.
Perfect viewing for anyone who enjoys the convivial delights of shows like Midnight Diner.
— Chris Harms Australian International Documentary Conference
While this cozy, heartwarming doc is about the artistry of an excellent bowl of soup, it is just as much about the power of community and connection.
ABOUT THE FILM
Self-taught ramen master Masamoto Ueda and his wife Kazuko have run their Tokyo ramen shop, Bizentei for more than forty years. Together with their customers, they have created a welcoming place of community. On the weekends, they venture together across the Japanese countryside, harvesting pears, bamboo shoots, and wild mountain yams. An intimate portrait of Japan’s culture of food, community, and work, COME BACK ANYTIME features gorgeous scenery, mouth-watering dishes, and a delightful cast of regular customers. It’s a heartwarming reminder of life’s simplest pleasures: a delicious meal, relaxed conversations with friends, and a special place to call one’s own.
81 minutes | Japanese | Color and B&W
Locations: Japan’s Chiba, Niigata, Tochigi, and Tokyo Prefectures
THE FILMMAKERS
JOHN DASCHBACH
Director-Cinematographer-Editor
John is a Tokyo-based American filmmaker who fell in love with film at the Dartmouth College Film Society while growing up in Hanover, NH. After studying literature in college, he dove into film editing while studying with legendary editor, Ralph Rosenblum at Columbia University. After embracing the digital revolution of the late 90s, he’s been making independent films, and editing others’, ever since. COME BACK ANYTIME is his second feature, first documentary, and first cinematography credit.