Ruokala Lokki 　かもめ食堂

Monday, 6 July 2009
ひさしぶりに「かもめ食堂」をみた。

"Kamome Shokudo" is a Japanese movie from 2006 all filmed in Finland. "Kamome" means seagull and "Shokudo" means diner (so it's "Seagull Diner" in English and "Ruokala Lokki" in Finnish). The story is all about this little diner in Helsinki run by a Japanese lady, and it's about a life surrounding Kamome Diner.

Above four images are by Kamome Kikaku via here.
In this film you see A LOT of iittala tableware, alvar aalto furniture, and marimekko clothing so it's perfect for a Finland design lover like me :) And of course it's a lot about food so is really an enjoyable film just by that! But the story itself is quite charming too, with little giggles here and there it's very sweet. It makes me really want to go to Finland more everytime I see it (and makes me want to have really good coffee and onigiri which I always do after seeing it!).

Finland seems reallly far away from Japan but apparently it's the closest European country to us! I had been a secret finland lover for a loooong time because I'm a huge fun of Aki Kaurismäki. The impression of Helsinki in Kamome Diner is VERY different from Helsinki seen in Kaurismaki's films though! But I'm pretty sure it's a really charming city just how it's seen in "Kamome Diner" :)


Another film casting those two main actresses from Kamome Diner is coming soon, it's called "the pool" プール and is filmed in Thailand. I can't wait till September!

11 comments

  1. yu yasutake6 July 2009 at 4:05 pm

    ive seen the film too! that film is so soothing. me too i dream of finland. yes, its the closest country in europe:) i didnt know about the pool. it must be good too!

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  2. yu yasutake6 July 2009 at 4:08 pm

    by the way, which film do you recommend by Aki Kaurismäki? i didnt know him

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  3. Mary6 July 2009 at 7:10 pm

    i'm definitely going to have to see this movie! thank you for writing about it.
    i'm a huge finnish design fan and have a good friend living there.
    so everytime i go over i load up on iittala.
    i have more glasses than anyone could possibly use or need but i'm addicted :)

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  4. Mary6 July 2009 at 7:14 pm

    i hope i can find an english (or french) subtitled copy of this film :)

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  5. hiki7 July 2009 at 12:04 am

    Hi Yasu!
    This is a good one isn't it ;) Did you see "megane"? I love the atomosphere these films have.
    Oh yes Aki Kaurismaki, not everyone likes his films so it's kind of hard to say but if you are seeimg his film for the first time, "The man without a past (過去のない男）" might be a good one. It won the grand prix at the Canne Film Festival.

    Hi Mary!
    You're so lucky you've been to finland many times! I'm jealous for your shopping! If you are that addicted to iittala you'll probably enjoy this film! I just checked but my DVD has english subtitle option (didn't know) so I think you can get the one made for the right region, or region-free perhaps.

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  6. ii-ne-kore7 July 2009 at 12:13 pm

    wow - that looks like such a great movie and director - i love the concept of making films in a different country/culture. i will be adding this to my list of 'must find' movies for sure - thankyou!

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  7. lovepics7 July 2009 at 2:52 pm

    aalto + marimekko? i would love this movie!!
    the colours are gorgeous....

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  8. at swim-two-birds7 July 2009 at 7:52 pm

    What a nice post! I have to see that film too.
    I'm also a Kaurismaki Lover, that man with his elbows on the table, could it be The man without the past? He almost looks the same! Love it!!!!

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  9. hiki7 July 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Konnichiwa ii-ne-kore!
    Yes this director makes great movies, the second movie she made was called "megane" and was filmed in Ishigaki-jima in Okinawa. Very relaxing movie. Hope you can find these two movies!

    Bonjour lovepics!
    Aren't the colours lovely! This was filmed in a cafe that actually exists in helsinki. They changed everything in there but the blue painted wall is the original colour.

    Hi at swim-two-birds,
    That is a really really good guess!!! Yes he's the guy from "the man without the past"! It's actually another reason I enjoy this movie but I had never been able to share it with anyone before you, horah! Cheers to Kaurismaki ;)

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  10. essie4 August 2009 at 11:08 am

    hi, i just stopped by,
    and really enjoying this blog. :-)
    this is my favourite movie and also 2nd movie, megane.!
    i'm so excited that the new movie is coming up.!

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  11. hiki4 August 2009 at 7:17 pm

    Hello essie,
    Thanks for visiting and your kind comment!
    I like the look of your blog, beautiful pictures and lovely tone though I don't understand anything written there.
    I'm excited about the new movie too, it will be released soon!

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your kind words are always welcome and appreciated! arigato :)

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