COVERCHORD CULTURE
Leading creative personalities share their
recommended viewing for the holidays
2024 - 2025
COVERCHORD's annual year-end tradition.
Creators from various fields share their top movie and drama picks in 2024.
As the year comes to a close, COVERCHORD proudly presents its annual tradition
Once again, we’ve asked creators from various fields to share their top movies and dramas to watch over the New Year holidays.
From timeless classics to trending originals and binge-worthy series, these picks are perfect for ending the year or starting the next.
Let these recommendations inspire your holiday viewing plans and make your downtime even more enjoyable!
MC / Rapper / Vocalist
Chinza DOPENESS
1996, Japan
Director: Juzo Itami
This film became a favorite after I rediscovered Juzo Itami’s work, starting with Tampopo, which I had vaguely remembered from childhood. The story follows Hanako Inoue, a widowed housewife played by Nobuko Miyamoto, who reunites with childhood friend Goro Inoue, a struggling supermarket owner played by Masahiko Tsugawa. Together, they take on a nearby supermarket competitor. The lighthearted character interactions blend with sharp observations, drawing viewers into a brisk and engaging narrative. Itami’s works are not available on streaming platforms, so I highly recommend seeking out the DVDs. This particular film is perfect for the holiday season.
It’s Tough Being a Man (Shiretoko Bojo)
1987, Japan
Director: Yoji Yamada
I grew up around the It’s Tough Being a Man series, as my father often watched it. Revisiting it on Netflix allowed me to truly appreciate its charm. I even purchased a VHS set to enjoy the heartfelt interactions surrounding Tora-san and his travels. This installment introduces Junkichi Ueno, a serious and awkward veterinarian played by Toshiro Mifune, and his subtle connection with a tavern owner, Etsuko, portrayed by Keiko Awaji. Tora-san’s meddling adds humor to their dynamic. Once you get into this series, it’s impossible to stop!
Downtown 81
2000, USA
Director: Edo Bertoglio
Written by Glenn O’Brien and starring Jean-Michel Basquiat, this film offers a glimpse into 1980s New York City. I love the cityscapes, the artists, and the fashion featured throughout. Despite the gritty reality of early 80s NYC, the film captures a surprisingly charming and soothing vibe. The 75 minutes breeze by as Basquiat encounters artists across various disciplines, making this a visually and culturally enriching experience.
Chinza DOPENESS
Born in Tokyo in 1981, Chinza DOPENESS fell in love with hip-hop during his teens. Rising through the MC battle scene in the 2000s, he gained recognition and has since collaborated with numerous artists. Recently, he has been active with groups such as FNCY (with G.RINA and ZEN-LA-ROCK) and U-zhaan×Tamaki ROY×Chinza DOPENESS, while also regularly releasing the LIFEWORK series “BeAt日ShIt” as a solo artist on streaming platforms.
Instagram_@chinza_dopeness_time
MARMOT CAPITAL
Kikuno
2019~, USA
Director: Sam Levinson
A drama I’m currently watching. Produced by Drake, the music is phenomenal. The costumes and makeup are meticulously tailored to each character’s personality, blending naturally into the story without feeling overdone. Every detail leaves me impressed.
The Holiday
2006, USA
Director: Nancy Meyers
A film I want to watch every year during this season. Early 2000s romantic comedies always leave me feeling warm and fuzzy. With each viewing, as I grow older, I find myself relating to different scenes and appreciating new aspects of the story.
Beautiful Life
2000, Japan
Screenwriter: Etsuko Kitagawa
This Japanese drama, recently added to Netflix, is one I plan to binge-watch over the holidays. Although dramas from this era often feature overly sentimental lines when viewed today, they still hold a certain charm. And if Kimura Takuya is in it, it’s guaranteed to be good.
Kikuno
Born in Tokyo and studied photography and art in San Francisco and London. In 2015, she launched PURPLE THINGS and is now the director of MARMOT CAPITAL. Her casual style, seamlessly incorporating menswear, has gained her many fans, as has her YouTube channel.
Instagram_@kiki_sun
Kaptain Sunshine
Shinsuke Kojima
1984 / West Germany, France
Director: Wim Wenders
A poignant 1980s road movie by Wim Wenders. The film features stunning visuals by Robby Müller and an evocative soundtrack by Ry Cooder. The era-defining fashion showcased throughout is another highlight.
Tokyo Story
1953 / Japan
Director: Yasujiro Ozu
A masterpiece among masterpieces from the legendary Yasujiro Ozu. Perfect for rewatching during the New Year, when the mood calls for classic Japanese films.
Notting Hill
1999 / UK
Director: Roger Michell
A heartfelt love story set in London's Notting Hill. The final sequence, paired with Elvis Costello's rendition of She, is deeply moving. A must-watch during the winter season.
Shinsuke Kojima
After working as an editor for fashion magazines and contributing to various brands, Shinsuke Kojima launched Kaptain Sunshine in 2012.
The long-awaited Tokyo flagship store is set to open in March 2025.
Website_kaptainsunshine.com
Instagram_@kaptainsunshine
Instagram_@ks_shunsukekojima
Writer & Culinary Researcher
Tsurezure Hanako
2011, India
Director: Amole Gupte
A charming Indian film starring schoolchildren in Mumbai, but without the usual songs and dances. Stanley, the protagonist, cannot bring a lunchbox to school due to family circumstances. His friends, eager to help, make for an adorable cast of characters. The children's performances are so natural, as they weren’t even told they were part of a movie—it was shot over 18 months as part of a workshop every Saturday.
Another highlight is the lunchboxes themselves. The kids' stainless steel tiffin boxes filled with delicious Indian lunches are mouthwatering, and the film will undoubtedly leave you craving curry, especially after the New Year’s feasts.
Chef / Chef: A Food Truck Adventure
2014, USA
Director: Jon Favreau
This uplifting film follows a middle-aged chef from a top Los Angeles restaurant who loses his job after a public feud with a food critic online. Initially discouraged, he reinvents himself with the support of his son by starting a Cuban sandwich food truck. The Cuban sandwiches look incredible, and the story of rebuilding a life from scratch is inspiring. Watching him repair a battered old food truck and turn it into a wildly popular business is a delight. It’s a perfect pick to motivate anyone to take on new challenges in the coming year.
The Godfather Trilogy
1972, 1974, 1990, USA
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
A legendary masterpiece that depicts the rise and fall of an American Mafia family, winning two Academy Awards. With themes of family, loyalty, and violence, the trilogy remains gripping even 50 years after the release of the first film. For me, it’s a family tradition to binge-watch the entire trilogy over the New Year holidays—a ritual that makes it feel like the new year has truly begun. The 10-hour epic spans three generations of Godfathers and is perfect for an immersive experience during the holiday season.
Be sure to savor the Italian dishes featured throughout, like tomato meatball spaghetti, homemade gnocchi, and cannoli—delicious highlights of the Corleone family meals.
Tsurezure Hanako
She writes for books, magazines, and websites, shares recipes, and even produces tableware and cooking tools. Her books include "Tsurezure Hanako’s Body-Balancing Bowls" (GAKKEN) and "Everyday Sake Dinner Diary" (Gentosha), along with many others.
Instagram_@turehana1
Ceramic Artist
Koji Kitaoka
1996, USA
Director: Leon Gast
I happened to watch this over the New Year holidays, and it left a lasting impression. This documentary centers on the legendary title match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, later known as The Rumble in the Jungle. Ali’s sheer energy and extraordinary way of life are truly moving. The original title is also cool. It’s an uplifting film, perfect for the New Year period when you need a boost of energy.
Before Trilogy
(Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight)
1995, 2004, 2013, USA
Director: Richard Linklater
I love all of Richard Linklater's works, but the New Year holidays are the perfect time to binge-watch the Before series. Each film was made 9 years apart, and this passage of time aligns with the characters' lives and the actors' own experiences, giving the story a sense of real, lived-in depth. The dialogue-driven nature of the films, set within limited places and timeframes, also makes them easy to watch.
Perfect Days
2023, France
Director: Wim Wenders
The protagonist’s quiet, steady routine, carried out with unshakable discipline, is inspiring. The film’s serene tone feels perfectly suited for the New Year period. Wim Wenders’ depiction of Tokyo is stunning and adds to the film's quiet beauty.
Koji Kitaoka
After graduating from university and gaining work experience, Koji entered the world of pottery. He trained in Toki, Gifu after graduating from the Arita Ceramic School, and in 2010, he returned to his hometown in Fukuoka to establish his own practice. Instagram: @kojikitaoka
Instagram_@kojikitaoka
MARCOMONDE / WANDERUNG
Arisa Kakusue
1999, USA
Director: David Lynch
Based on a true story, this film follows an elderly man who travels over 500 kilometers on a lawnmower at 8 km/h to reunite with his estranged brother. The slow-paced and deeply moving narrative captivates me, especially the reflective conversations with people he meets along the way. It’s a film I find myself returning to as I grow older. The gentle atmosphere makes it hard to believe it’s directed by David Lynch.
THE DARJEELING LIMITED
2007, USA
Director: Wes Anderson
This road movie tells the story of three estranged brothers who come together after their father’s death to embark on a train journey through India. I love how Wes Anderson vividly captures the vibrant colors, patterns, and people of India. As someone who frequently travels to India for work by car, this film makes me dream of taking a train journey there someday.
BLACKLIST
2013-2023, USA
Director: Joe Carnahan
Every few years, I get hooked on a long drama series, and my most recent obsession was The Blacklist. The story revolves around a "crime concierge" who collaborates with the FBI to capture the world’s most dangerous criminals using his insider knowledge.
The brilliant script kept me on edge every season. If you’re tired of the same old entertainment during the holidays, I highly recommend it—just be prepared for its length!
Arisa Kakusue
Launched the legwear brand MARCOMONDE in 2007, drawing inspiration from visits to different countries, incorporating their culture, architecture, art, and history into her unique designs. In 2025, she will debut MAHAL, a brand specializing in Indian craftsmanship.
Website_marcomonde.jp
Instagram_@marcomonde_official
RISIKO
Yukiko Yamane
2024, Japan
Director: Gakuryu Ishii
This was the most impactful film I watched this year. Based on Kobo Abe’s novel, it tells the story of a man who wears a cardboard box on his head to achieve complete anonymity, only to face trials and danger. I accompanied the team to its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, which made the experience even more personal. The profound narrative and the journey of its creation deeply moved me. This film also inspired me to visit cinemas more often, leading to the completion of *RISIKO Issue 5 “BOX”*, released in November 2024.
Ticket of No Return
1979, Germany
Director: Ulrike Ottinger
This bold story follows a woman who moves to West Berlin with a one-way ticket, living a life consumed by alcohol. I discovered this film during a retrospective screening of Tabea Blumenschein in 2020, and I’ve been captivated by her ever since. Her beauty, vibrant costumes, and powerful presence mesmerized me. Ulrike Ottinger’s stunning visuals, the underground vibe of 1970s Berlin, and the unique characters, including Nina Hagen, make this film unforgettable. I love immersing myself in this world, ideally while enjoying a drink.
Paddington 2
2017, UK & France
Director: Paul King
During a night out with the post-punk duo The KVB in Manchester, they highly recommended this film to me, insisting that it’s not just for children. They were right—Paddington 2 is pure joy. As the third installment, Paddington in Peru, approaches, I plan to revisit the series over the holidays to fully immerse myself in the charming world of Paddington.
Yukiko Yamane
Editor, Writer, Coordinator / Editor-in-Chief of RISIKO Yukiko Yamane moved to Berlin in 2012, focusing on planning, interviewing, and writing for fashion and culture magazines while also managing casting for brand shoots. In 2021, she launched RISIKO, an independent magazine showcasing the current underground music and culture scene in Germany. In November 2024, she released RISIKO Issue 5 “BOX”, dedicated to cinema.
Instagram_@risikomagazine
Instagram_@yukikopica
blurhms / blurhmsROOTSTOCK
Keigo Murakami
2010, USA
Director: Sofia Coppola
A reflective story about a famous movie star living a glamorous yet hollow life in a hotel. His daughter, raised by his ex-wife, comes to live with him, leading him to reexamine his life. The slow-paced and understated narrative resonates with me as a father with a daughter. I also love Stephen Dorff’s worn-out vintage wardrobe, which perfectly captures my image of America.
Midnight in Paris
2011, USA
Director: Woody Allen
This whimsical story follows a screenwriter who time-travels to 1920s Paris, meeting cultural icons like Hemingway, Picasso, Matisse, and Dali. I enjoy seeing my favorite artists and cultural figures portrayed in the film. The protagonist’s realization that dissatisfaction exists in every era offers a thought-provoking message.
E.T.
1982, USA
Director: Steven Spielberg
During the New Year holidays, I enjoy films that require little thought, and E.T. is a timeless classic. The colors, setting, and small details of 1980s America, like room decor and children’s clothing, are incredibly charming. Sweatshirts, flannels, oversized backpacks, football tees, and bowling shirts remind me of my days visiting vintage shops. Watching films for the atmosphere rather than the story is also an enjoyable experience.
Keigo Murakami
Keigo Murakami founded blurhms in 2011, later establishing blurhmsROOTSTOCK. His designs focus on developing fabrics from high-quality materials, drawing inspiration from military and workwear masterpieces.
He prioritizes balance, comfort, and meticulous craftsmanship, creating timeless pieces with superior fabrics and precise tailoring.
Website_blurhms.com
Instagram_@blurhms_official
Instagram_@blurhms_rootstock