Comfort Food Double Feature: Holy Cow and Sweet Bean

Food is life. Food is the universal language. And food can also be hope. The history of film is filled with a veritable smorgasbord of food stories—irresistible romances, inspirational redemption tales, mouthwatering gastronomy documentaries—but there’s nothing quite like a heartwarming story of hope centered around something delicious. Even the most humble foods can be great sources of inspiration and catalysts for transformation. 

This week, Kino Film Collection is delighted to release Holy Cow, a tender coming-of-age film about a young underdog who enters a cheese competition after the death of his father leaves him to care for his young sister. After premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Louise Courvoisier’s film won the hearts of critics, who’ve called it “a visual triumph and a joy to watch” and “[a] vivid film…so alive you may believe you could even reach out and touch it—or eat it.”

But like any great meal, some dishes are best when paired with something complementary and equally delightful. For a truly warm and satisfying viewing experience, we recommend enjoying Holy Cow with Sweet Bean, Naomi Kawase’s gentle, meditative, and “heartbreakingly beautiful” family drama about the timeless Japanese tradition of making dorayaki (sweet bean pancakes). 

So pull up a chair (or sofa), get comfortable, and settle in for our comfort food double feature. 

Holy Cow

After the tragic death of his father, 18 year old Totone is thrust into the unexpected and very adult role of looking after his younger sister and their failing family farm in the Jura section of France. He assumes even more responsibility when he enters a cash competition for the best Comte cheese made in this western part of the French Alps.

Sweet Bean

Shot during the height of cherry blossom season and selected to open the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, this touching film from Japanese master Naomi Kawase follows an eccentric 76-year-old woman, played by her real-life grandmother, who specializes in making red bean cakes.