Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Scotland: 4 Foodie Films to Watch at HIFF
From fishing to oatmeal to kaiseki, these films remind us of the deeper power of food.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Foodie films run the gamut—from indelible classics like Babette’s Feast, Big Night and Eat Drink Man Woman to rom-coms and documentaries. This year, the Hawai‘i International Film Festival, which runs Oct. 16–26 at Consolidated Theatres Kāhala and then Oct. 28–Nov. 16 on the West Side and Neighbor Islands, is spotlighting four feature films centered around food.
SEE ALSO: What to Watch at This Year’s Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Three are documentaries, each moving in different and unexpected ways. From the Philippines, scenes of a lone fishermen being chased on open seas by a small flotilla of Chinese ships with guns. From Scotland, oddball competitors whose passionate pursuit of the perfect porridge bubbles over at a Highlands championship. From Japan, a lesson in how the restrained emotion of Noh theater parallels kaiseki. And from South Korea, a gangster film that somehow ties in to food. “It’s our most diverse collection in years,” HIFF artistic director Anderson Le emailed us, “and special guests will be in attendance.”
Click on the titles to see trailers and venues. Film synopses are courtesy of Le.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Kinobu: Food, Tradition & Identity
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m.
Director Chikara Motomura (former Honolulu resident) invites viewers into a Michelin-starred Kyoto restaurant where tradition, artistry, and innovation converge. Led by third-generation chef Takuji Takahashi—also a Noh theater practitioner and sommelier—the film explores how Japanese cuisine reflects seasonal beauty, aesthetic harmony and cultural heritage. Through immersive visuals and intimate storytelling, the documentary reveals how Takahashi balances centuries-old culinary traditions with modern creativity, crafting dishes that are both delicate and daring in a tranquil, artfully curated setting. Both the director and the proprietor of the restaurant, Chef Takuji Takahashi will be in attendance for the first screening.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Boss
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 5 p.m.
Boss is a riotous action-comedy that flips the gangster genre on its head. Opening with a flashback to their swaggering youth—when any of them could have become the next don—the film leaps to the present, where the once-fearsome crew now faces middle age, fading street cred and mundane dreams like opening a Korean-Chinese food franchise. When the current boss steps down, Jo Woo-jin, Jung Kyung-ho, Park Ji-hwan and Lee Gyu-hyung play rival lieutenants who desperately try to avoid promotion, even as a corrupt upstart threatens to seize control. Packed with explosive brawls, razor-sharp humor, and affectionate spoofs of gangster classics like Friend and New World, Boss delivers gut busting laughs and high-octane action. The director of the film will be in attendance.
Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2:15 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.
A powerful, urgent documentary that plunges into the contested waters of the West Philippine Sea, where Filipino fishermen, the Coast Guard and Navy defend the nation’s maritime sovereignty. As China’s incursions escalate, the film captures the perilous lives of those who risk everything not only to fish but to assert the Philippines’ rightful claims. Shot with striking intimacy and rare access, it reveals quiet heroism and the steadfast resolve of communities long overlooked. Earlier this year, the film was pulled from a film festival in the Philippines, reportedly under pressure from its supermarket-chain sponsor with ties to China—underscoring the volatile politics surrounding its subject. Both a love letter to the sea and a call to action, director Baby Ruth Villarama’s film is a gripping chronicle of dignity, defiance, and national identity in an era when truth itself is under siege. The director will be in attendance.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i International Film Festival
The Golden Spurtle
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 3:30 p.m.
Dating back to the Neolithic age, porridge may be humble, but in the Scottish Highlands, it inspires passion, rivalry and community pride. Each year, the quiet village of Carrbridge becomes the center of the culinary world with the World Porridge Making Championships, where competitors from around the globe vie for the coveted Golden Spurtle. For beloved local Charlie Miller, facing retirement and failing health, the competition is about more than oats—it’s about legacy. Fellow villager Ian Bishop sees it as his last shot at glory, while reigning champion Lisa Williams defends her crown against daring newcomers eager to rewrite tradition. Brimming with eccentric humor and Highland charm, The Golden Spurtle celebrates resilience, rivalry and the simple joy of a steaming bowl. The director will be in attendance.
