Unlike her lively cousin, Noriko has no hobbies, no ambitions, and doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life. Her mother suggests that she join a class to learn traditional tea ceremony, and though reluctant at first, Noriko gradually finds this difficult, complex and seemingly meaningless ritual becoming a core part of her life for the next 20 years. As Noriko battles through finding a job, breaking up with her boyfriend and losing a loved one, tea is always by her side. With a Starbucks just around every corner, who would even think of learning an archaic thing like tea ceremony, much less believe that it could have such profound impact on one’s life? It doesn’t have to be tea, but we are all seeking that consolation in this ever-vanishing ‘now’; something special that you want to preserve and cherish. Very strong acting from Kuroki Haru and the legendary Kiki Kirin enforce the poised but solid directing from Osamu Tatsushi. This is the final work of Kiki Kirin, who passed away less than a month before the film’s premiere. (Karen Park)