Sweet Bean

Sentaro works all day in his small shop, making dorayaki pancakes, a Japanese treat beloved for its sweet red bean paste filling. Unfortunately, his dorayaki are not that great — the commercially produced bean paste Sentaro uses is doing him few favors. He hires the elderly Tokue reluctantly — her age and slightly deformed hands are definite red flags — but his mood changes when he samples her home-made paste. Soon business is booming at the pancake shop, and both Sentaro and Tokue are happier than they've been in years. But everything changes when customers discover which disease has ravaged Tokue's hands. The Webster Film Series screens Naomi Kawase's drama Sweet Bean at 8 p.m. Friday through Saturday (May 20 to 22) at Webster University's Moore Auditorium (470 East Lockwood Avenue; 314-968-7487 or www.webster.edu/film-series). Tickets are $4 to $6.