Film

The birth of sake Erik Shirai’s new documentary premiered at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim. Here, he shares more about the movie and what it was like to live with the sake brewers while filming. Interview Annemarie Luck

It’s raining rice A clip from Erik Shirai’s (above) new film

Not too far removed from ‘Jiro Dreams of very difficult. I hope that this film will allow more Sushi’, Erik Shirai’s ‘The Birth of Saké’ people (both in Japan and abroad) to appreciate is a contemplative portrait of a year the craftsmanship and dedication involved. inside Japan’s Tedorigawa sake brewery. The atmospheric film looks at the lives of a small group What was it like to live amongst the workers of manual labourers who must brave difficult at the brewery? working conditions (like having to live together for It was very interesting. We woke up with them six months at a time) to preserve a 2,000-year-old every morning at 4.30am, we had breakfast, tradition. Shirai and producer Masako Tsumura lunch and dinner with them and even got drunk first visited the brewery in 2012 and, after months with them every night. This enabled us to get very of negotiation, were finally given access to film close with everyone and it allowed us to capture at the brewery. They returned in 2013 to ‘live the very intimate lifestyle that these workers amongst the workers at the brewery live for six to seven months every and capture the intense and relatively year. By the end of the filming, we unknown process (even within in became a part of their small family. Japan) of traditional sake making’. By the end of Tell us about a moment that Why did you want to tell this story? the filming, impacted you the most? There is a very specific moment As a Japanese-American, I wanted we became a in the film that impacted both my to share the story of my own people and my culture. I see so part of their producer and I, but I do not want to give anything away for those who many films made about Japan and small family haven’t seen the film yet. When you Japanese culture through the eyes see the film it will be very obvious. of foreigners and I felt that it was important that this film be made with a Japanese perspective. Did you get a sense that the sake makers are This film is a tribute to all Japanese artisans passionate about what they do, even though who dedicate themselves to their craft. they have to deal with certain hardships? I think you need to have a strong passion for Do you think the tradition is in danger crafting sake or you will not last very long, of dying out? especially with this very difficult lifestyle. It’s I do not believe that sake making will ever very common for many workers to quit after completely die out but I do believe that, in this the first season because it is so difficult being modern age, making sake traditionally has become away from their families. Many workers must sacrifice their time with their family because there is very little work in the region they live.

You were funded by Kickstarter – 394 people and $50,000. Were you surprised by the support? Yes! But I think people supported the film because they were genuinely interested in knowing how sake is made traditionally. We were very fortunate and will forever be grateful to everyone who helped us make this movie.

The documentary premiered at Tribeca Film Festival in April. How did that go? It was a great experience, especially for our two main characters, Toji-san and Yachan, who came all the way from Japan as guests. I think they were surprised at how many people came to see the film and the positive response it received. They were nervous at first but with a little sake they loosened up and were crowd favourites at the festival.

Any screenings scheduled for Tokyo? We have submitted the film to a few festivals in Japan so we hope that it will be accepted so it can be screened in the land of sake. We will keep everyone updated on all of our screenings via our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BirthOfSake For more info, visit www.birthofsake.com

For upcoming events and movie reviews see timeout.com/tokyo

THE LED DANCERS Just when you thought Robot Restaurant’s world of neon lights couldn’t get any more spectacular, they introduced these gals. Bringing together state-ofthe-art technology, choreography and sound, their visually stunning performance is – suitably – out of this world.

SCALES AND METAL The show is known for its gigantic reptilian-like creatures, which are generally conquered by the above-mentioned ‘josen’ (except for one unfortunate girl who ends up getting munched). The last time we visited, we were impressed by two new types: a scaly fellow who roars with fire and a metal-bodied one who looks equally futuristic and ancient.

AN EVERLOCAL INSIGHT CHANGING MENU

How Robot Restaurant keeps the wow factor going

Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district has plenty of fascinating forms of entertainment to keep you coming back for more. Just recently, a new Godzilla statue was the talk of the town. So how does a spot like Robot Restaurant reinvent itself to ensure repeat visitors are never bored? If you’ve been to watch the show more than once, you might have noticed that, while the main elements remain the same – the lights, the glitter, the girls – new characters are introduced on a continual basis. Here, we look at our favourite recent additions to the fantasy world.

THE MARCHING BAND OF BOMBSHELLS Although Robot Restaurant has always featured a ‘girl power’ team – which they have termed ‘josen’ (‘fighting women’) – lately these singing, dancing lasses have added a new skill to their repertoire: the drum march. So powerful they’ll give your eardrums a run for their money. Bring this issue of Time Out Tokyo magazine with you to Robot Restaurant and get ¥1,000 off your bill. TAKE THE SHOW HOME Pick up one of these souvenirs on your way out

Not that you’ll be able to forget the sensory overload any time soon (good luck getting to sleep afterwards), but if you want to keep your memories of Robot Restaurant even more alive or if you just want to tell the world you’ve visited the famous spot, here are a few items to buy from the souvenir shop.

ROBOKO PRINT T-SHIRTS The most popular item in the shop, a Robot Restaurant tee costs ¥2,900 and comes in small, medium, large and extra large.

ORIGINAL COOKIE BOX The perfect gift for those friends who have to be content with scrolling enviously through your Instagram feed, this box of robot-decorated cookies is just ¥600.

ROBOT CHIPS Not really a souvenir as such (unless you frame the plastic bag?), but a handy after-show snack – which you might need since food is not included in the entrance fee (you have to pay extra for

a bento box).

HOW TO BOOK Robot Restaurant is open for three shows daily (four on weekends), starting at 5.55pm, 7.50pm and 9.45pm, and the format is changed every few months to keep things fresh. You can reserve your spot a couple of days ahead by calling the number below between 9am and 10pm. The entrance fee is ¥7,000, excluding food and drinks. Shinjuku Robot Bldg, 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku (Shinjuku Station). 03 3200 5500. www.shinjuku-robot.com. 4pm-11pm daily.