Asia Society Japan at the Movies: Come Back Anytime (Recap)

Conversation with Director John Daschbach and Producer Wataru Yamamoto

Director John Daschbach and producer Wataru Yamamoto along with Japan center director Sawako Hidaka

Director John Daschbach giving an introduction to the film

Director John Daschbach giving an introduction

Director John Daschbach and Japan center director Sawako Hidaka in conversation

Producer Wataru Yamamoto answering a question from the audience

Director John Daschbach, producer Wataru Yamamoto, and Japan center director Sawako Hidaka on stage for Q&A session

Director John Daschbach and producer Wataru Yamamoto

A group shot with the director and producer

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Asia Society Japan had the pleasure to host the first public screening of Come Back Anytime in Japan on March 14, 2023, at the International House of Japan with the two creators, director-cinematographer-editor, John Daschbach and producer-interpreter, Wataru Yamamoto. Bizentei master, Masamoto Ueda was not able to make it, but his wife Kazuko Ueda, and some of his regulars featured in the film joined the screening.

This documentary was shot in 2019 by a crew of just two. The two creators captured Masamoto Ueda and his small ramen restaurant, Bizentei, and its community. It’s a heartwarming story portraying the importance of human connection over ramen and during their weekend excursions.

At the Q&A session following the screening, Mr. Daschbach and Mr. Yamamoto took us through their one-year journey filming and editing the documentary during the early onset of Covid in 2020. Although Bizentei will be closing at the end of March 2023 with Ueda-san’s retirement, the soulful ramen and the community will continue to live on through this film.