Welcome to the last trailer post of 2024.
There will be a round-up of top films of the year tomorrow and the new trailer posts for 2025 on Wednesday and Thursday.
As the new year rolls in, I’m spending my sick leave catching up with 2024 releases so I’ll have reviews ready to roll in January. Thinking ahead, there’s also the Japan Foundation Touring Film Programme, so expect a preview post of that. I’ll also be making plans for a return to Japan. Things to do!
What is the last Japanese films to get released in 2024?
Grand Maison Paris 
グランメゾン・パリ 「Guran Meizon Pari」
Release Date: December 30th, 2024
Duration: 102 mins.
Director: Ayuko Tsukahara
Writer: Tsutomu Kuroiwa (Screenplay),
Starring: Takuya Kimura, Kyoka Suzuki, Taecyeon, Ayako Yoshitano, Ai Tominaga, Kanichiro Sato, Anne Nakamura,
Website Twitter: @gurame_tbs IMDB
This is a sequel to a TV drama and the cast and crew return but the setting has changed to Paris. The cooking scenes were supervised by Kei Kobayashi, a chef at Restaurant KEI, the first Asian chef to win three stars in France.
This was first screened at the San Sebastian Film Festival 2024.
Synopsis: Following Grand Maison Tokyo earning three Michelin stars, chef Natsuki Obana and sous chef Rinko Hayami launch a new restaurant in Paris, the home of French cuisine. Obana finds it tough to adjust to his new surroundings and his relationships with his team members suffer and so he makes a promise to his former mentor that if he does not win three Michelin stars, he will quit the restaurant and leave France. Will the team be able to do it???