A man called ‘Master’ (Kaoru Kobayashi) begins his day as others end theirs, opening his small izakaya (pub) from midnight until seven in the morning. The hole-in-the-wall restaurant is a simmering pot where the eclectic characters of nocturnal Tokyo gather to stew over their stories.

The film follows the stories of three ordinary individuals with a lot on their plates. Literary editor Noriko (Aoba Kawai), who mourns her stressful working days by wearing black, finds herself having to actually attend a funeral. Overprotective mother Seiko (Midoriko Kimura) disapproves of her son’s fiancé, despite them being friends. An elderly dementia patient Yukiko Ogawa (Misako Watanabe) becomes involved in a scam when she travels to Tokyo in search of her estranged son.

As these individuals pore over their worries, Master serves up homely delights and timely life advice. And as other customers begin to console one another, a family is born.

Joji Matsuoka’s Midnight Diner 2 is a slice of life drama that not only warms the soul but gives food for thought. The film goes beyond the walls of the izakaya and explores the challenges of managing relationships with our families and colleagues.

Year: 2016
Length: 108 mins
Classification rating: All ages

This film will screen in Melbourne and Sydney. Screening schedule TBC.

In Japanese with English subtitles.