From Oga, Akita and Minamisoma, Fukushima, a new sake culture is emerging. The film "Rice and Wind" will be released in February 2027

The documentary film "Ine to Kaze" ( Rice and Wind), which follows young brewers challenging themselves to create new sake in their respective regions—"Ine to Agave" in Oga City , Akita Prefecture, "haccoba" in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture , and "WAKAZE" in Paris, France —has been scheduled for theatrical release.

It will be released nationwide starting February 27th, 2027 (Saturday) at Eurospace in Tokyo and other theaters. Prior to that, there will be a preview screening at AL☆VE Theater in Akita City on February 20th (Saturday)

How will the traditions of Japanese sake be carried on, and how will they be transformed? This film, shot over five and a half years, depicts the lives of people grappling with the future of sake brewing and their region

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"Rice and Wind" follows young winemakers for five and a half years

Facing challenges such as declining sake consumption, a shrinking market, and regulations surrounding sake brewing, "Rice and Wind" is a human documentary that looks at brewers who are trying to forge a new sake culture while confronting these issues

From establishing a brewery to honing their skills and creating a distribution network, the film documents the challenges, struggles, and transformations of young people working hands-on on the front lines over a period of five and a half years

The film was directed, filmed, and edited by Travis Matsumoto. Production and distribution were handled by Outcrop Co., Ltd., headquartered in Akita City

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What is the new alcohol culture known as "craft sake"?

To understand this work, it's important to know about the new sake culture called "craft sake" that the producers are promoting

According to the Craft Sake Brewery Association's explanation in the press release,craft sake is a new genre of alcoholic beverage that uses rice as the raw material, based on the brewing techniques of traditional Japanese sake (seishu), but incorporating processes that are not legally permitted for conventional sake production.

The film follows sake brewers from various regions as they engage in discussions, inspire each other, and forge a new sake culture. While inheriting traditional techniques, they explore new possibilities. Through this challenge, the film raises the question, "What is tradition?"

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The challenges of "rice and agave" in Oga, Akita, and "haccoba" in Minamisoma, Fukushima

In Oga City, Akita Prefecture , Shuhei Okazumi established "Ina to Agave" (Rice and Agave) as his base of operations, using a brewery he renovated from an old train station . The film depicts his efforts to bring a breath of fresh air to the world of sake brewing and to the region, with the aim of realizing a special zone for sake production in Japan

Meanwhile, Taisuke Sato established "haccoba" in Odaka Ward, Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture . In an area where the population had once dropped to zero due to the nuclear accident, he renovated a private house and opened a brewery. While incorporating traditional brewing methods passed down in Tohoku, he is engaged in free-spirited sake brewing that transcends genre boundaries.

The film depicts the journeys of brewers who grapple with both brewing sake in their respective regions and considering the future of their communities

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From Paris to "World Sake": The Challenge of "WAKAZE"

The film doesn't just follow the challenges in Tohoku

Shoya Imai, co-founder of the sake venture "WAKAZE," has established a brewery in Paris, France . Aiming to develop sake into a "world drink," he is working to brew sake in a foreign land and create a new culture.

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The film will have a preview screening in Akita, followed by a nationwide release starting February 27, 2027

Along with this announcement, a teaser trailer for the film has also been released

The film will be released nationwide on Saturday, February 27, 2027. A preview screening will be held at the AL☆VE Theater in Akita City one week earlier, on Saturday, February 20.

Oga, Odaka, and Paris. How will these challenges, which began in different places, connect? This is a must-see not only for sake lovers, but also for those interested in community development in Tohoku and the people who carry on traditions

*Please check future announcements for theaters and screening dates. The official website is still under construction as of the time of this press release

Source:[Special Announcement Released] Documentary film "Rice and Wind" to be released nationwide starting February 27, 2027 at Eurospace and other theaters! (PR TIMES)

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