SACRAMENTO — “Infinity and Chashu Ramen,” written and directed by Kerwin Berk, will be screened on Sunday, May 5, at 4 and 6:45 p.m. at the Crest Theater, 1013 K St. in downtown Sacramento.
The universe unfolds a little differently in San Francisco Japantown. It operates in a way you couldn’t possibly comprehend. But there is a method to its madness and for the most part it runs as smoothly as a Tokyo train station. However, every once in a great while, it needs a little help.
Tenshi (played by Hiroshi Kashiwagi) is an obnoxious 400-year-old spirit from old Japan who has a foul mouth and a propensity for petty theft. He’s been charged with watching over the residents of Japantown, which he does with all the grace of a drunken sumo wrestler singing karaoke. He’s able to keep things running on course most of the time but it’s always a challenge, never easy. And, complicating matters is his new apprentice.
Lucy (Wendy Woo) is a naïve woman wearing a red dress who stepped right out of the 1940s into the modern world. She’s unsure of the year, her surroundings and her new role in the universe, but she’s got a good heart and is a quick learner. Unfortunately, Tenshi is her only teacher.
Together, these two unseen spirits will wander in and out of the lives of Japantown residents, trying to keep the universe in order. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they fail, but no matter what they will irreparably change and connect the lives of dozens of people – whether they like it or not.
The cast also includes Sandra Young, Todd Nakagawa, Carolyn Hu, Rey Taira, Nishea Andolong, Nan Suphari, Rafe Biggs, Ricky Wang, Jean Franco, Anna Jones, Chizuko Omori, Randall Nakano, Kevin Khoi Tran, Henrietta Gard, Larry Kitagawa, Ben Arikawa, Suz Takeda, Kallan Nishimoto, Koichi Sugiyama, Naomi Quinones and LJ Batinas.
The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas in San Francisco on April 20 during the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Sacramento screenings are co-presented by the Northern California District Council of the Buddhist Churches of America. Tickets are available from the following Buddhist churches: Walnut Grove, Sacramento, Marysville, Stockton, Florin, Placer and Lodi.
Advance tickets are $10. Tickets at the door are $12.50 general, $10 for seniors. Order online here.
VIP tickets are available for $30. Meet with the cast and crew at a pre-screening mixer at 2 p.m. at Megami Restaurant, 1010 10th St. Theater admission is included.
For more information, email ICRSacramento@gmail.com or visit www.infinityandchashuramen.com.