WASTED CHEF Anime Draws Attention at Cannes as Director Takayuki Hirao Aims to Deliver Healing and Recovery

The WASTED CHEF anime project, the first original animation project from Takayuki Hirao, director of Pompo: The Cinéphile, has revealed its teaser visual.

WASTED CHEF Selected for Annecy Animation Showcase at Cannes

The project was selected for the Annecy Animation Showcase, an animation focused program held within Marché du Film, the film market attached to the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France.

On May 17 local time, director Hirao and producer Ryoichiro Matsuo of the animation studio CLAP appeared on stage to present the project to film industry professionals from around the world.

Five animated works in production from around the world took part in the showcase. WASTED CHEF was introduced as the second project.

During the presentation, producer Matsuo explained that this is the long awaited first original work for both creators and expressed gratitude for the selection.

Hirao then said the work takes on the theme of “value” in the modern age, combining cooking and science fiction as a new creative challenge. He also revealed that the Latin word “restorare,” meaning “to heal” and “to restore,” is a key concept in the story, saying he hopes the work can heal and restore those who watch it.

The venue also screened an approximately nine minute making of video featuring a director interview, concept materials, and footage from the main work.

The newly revealed teaser visual shows two people joyfully making hamburgers. At the same time, the tagline reads, “That day, ‘you’ and ‘taste’ disappeared from the world,” hinting that a major turning point awaits behind the peaceful everyday scene.

Further updates are scheduled to be announced at the fifth anniversary stage greeting for Pompo: The Cinéphile on May 31. In addition, a teaser trailer for WASTED CHEF will be shown in advance during the revival screenings of Pompo: The Cinéphile, which begin on May 29.

Source : ORICON NEWS