The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House

August 20, 2023 7:37 AM

Two inseparable friends move to Kyoto to chase their dreams of becoming maiko ( young geiko—the Kyoto-specific term for geisha) , but decide to pursue different passions while living under the same roof.

Official trailer

The Makanai is based on a best-selling manga by Aiko Koyama entitled Maiko-san chi no makanai-san, first published in 2016.

Director Kore-eda says:
“When I researched the all-women, communal living quarters, known as yakata, in Kyoto, where this story takes place, I was fascinated by how the women call each other mothers and sisters despite having no blood relations,” Kore-eda says. “Their way of life inspired me to recreate this world for the screen.”
From Time article

Directed by Kore-eda
Starring: Nana Mori, Natsuki Deguchi, Aju Makita

This is a beautiful show, slow, soothing, gentle and kind.

posted by Zumbador (6 comments total)

This show is so lovely. The beautiful fabrics, the food, the gentle story. It's "nothing much happens" unless you pay attention. There are sad undercurrents and subtle conflicts.

Also there's a scene where a geiko freaks out her boyfriend by imitating a movie zombie's walk. Amazing.
posted by Zumbador at 7:44 AM on August 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

It turns out that my dream is to cook for a communal home. The historic, "no cell phone" aspect, and intimate bar, take the dream to new levels.
posted by tofu_crouton at 8:28 AM on August 20, 2023 [5 favorites]

I love this show with all my heart. It's in my top-5 all time list, and I'm so pleased to see it here in Fanfare. Every aspect of the show is top-tier amazing from the story, to the acting (with incredible performances from a (mostly) very young cast, to the cinematography and the story. I sobbed tears of joy like a little kid through the last episode. Can't recommend this one enough.
posted by ssmith at 1:21 PM on August 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

Here's a collection of YouTube videos (mostly from Netflix, with English subtitles) to watch after you've finished the show. They really helped me understand some of the subtleties I was missing out on as a westerner:

The ending explained:
https://youtu.be/aM-8nDByo0E?si=wJutzE4v3SIbGkjL

Behind the scenes/making of:
https://youtu.be/clI88qYMmCY?si=YI3Ayn8AuTHtv0vn
https://youtu.be/B8EAGqo6WuI?si=2_heYrcriL9yF99J
https://youtu.be/m-TsYf8VcPE?si=XAI05tS4d65UEksg

Kind of cast interview type things:
https://youtu.be/hOu7rTZ7ZLg?si=urcscM0QzlmCK0Ql
https://youtu.be/ZEj3uDrM7t4?si=YG50PrL66dkFzMj2
https://youtu.be/KZLt86ZMxNA?si=aS6s5dd_ycqoF-YS

I just got very obsessed with this show - it came out at a real difficult time for me - and it really helped me cope. I'm similar to Kiyo, in that I love to cook and if I am cooking something for you it's not just from the joy of cooking but also because I love you.
posted by ssmith at 1:32 PM on August 20, 2023 [3 favorites]

My brother recommended this to me, and it was spot on--so lovely and gentle and genuine. I have since recommended it to more than one person, and they've all been glad I did.
posted by theatro at 2:12 PM on August 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

ssmith wow thanks for all the links!
posted by Zumbador at 9:52 PM on August 20, 2023