Forget Cannes! Seattle is currently hosting the largest film festival in the United States, the 39th S.I.F.F.
Over three weeks, the festival shows about 250 features, representing many countries around the world. Most movies are playing in iconic (read old fashioned) movie theaters in the Emerald city. My favorite kind of theaters, you may remember.
A few days ago, I received an email from the Festival team. They offered me free access to the French movie selection (and their crews whenever they were in town.) It seems the word has gotten out French Girl in Seattle loves le cinéma! They even threw in a Press card. Oh, là, là!
I was contacted too late to get to see all of the movies, but with some careful planning (and the help of a few girlfriends,) it will be my pleasure to work around my schedule and Junior's to catch a few shows.
Today, I would like to introduce a must-see French movie.
Christian Vincent's Haute Cuisine is an excellent translation of the clever French title, Les Saveurs du Palais. See movie release information at the end of the post.
Haute Cuisine is based on a true story: In the 1990s, Socialist French President François Mitterrand head-hunted Danièle Mazet-Delpeuch, a skilled chef based in the beautiful Dordogne region, and brought her to the Elysée Palace (the French White House,) to work as his private chef and help him rediscover "les plats que [lui] faisait [sa] grand-mère," (the tastes of his childhood.)
In the movie version, the president is interpreted with sheer delectation by an amateur actor, journalist and French Academy member Jean d'Ormesson. The Chef, Hortense Laborie, is masterfully played by Catherine Frot, one of France's most popular and versatile actresses.
The movie is imperfect, but it works. Like one of Hortense's delectable confections, it is multi-layered and offers fascinating insights into French society and culture.
Let's be clear: The story is an ode to food. The movie shines when we watch Hortense, (a perfectionist in search of the finest ingredients,) prepare traditional French specialties for the president, with a total disregard for cost, or dietetics. [Note to readers: Do not watch this one on an empty stomach!]
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| "La du Barry des fourneaux..." (the kitchen du Barry) |
But when the movie starts, we quickly realize Hortense's years as the Elysée Palace private chef are over. She has since moved on to bring culinary excellence to grateful scientists at a French antarctic mission!
What happened? The movie is a flashback, and will try and bring some answers.
The scenes at the Elysée Palace, as Hortense learns to maneuver around the protocol and internal rivalries among the staff are the most enjoyable ones. Decisive, undaunted, petulant at times, Hortense stands her ground, and when working in the private Elysée kitchen, she dazzles. Her rare exchanges with the older president are delightful.
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| Hortense et le président |
This is quality popular cinema. The movie is smart, engaging and entertaining. It illustrates a few truths most French people hold as self-evident:
1. The French once fought a bloody revolution to get rid of autocratic monarchs so they could replace them with [elected] presidents who behave like kings.
2. A happy man knows and respects his roots; his culture; his terroir and indulges often in a healthy dose of nostalgia.
3. Choux farci au saumon. Boeuf en croûte de sel. St Honoré à la sauce Mémé (all recipes featured in the movie:)
Scr-#$@ the dietetician: Eat and drink everything, in moderation.
A bientôt!
Haute Cuisine (*)
(in French, subtitled)
Seattle International Film Festival (S.I.F.F.)
May 31 - 9:30pm - Egyptian Theater, Seattle, WA.
June 1 - 8:30pm - Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland, WA
Box office:
206.324.9996
or book online
Mention coupon code "FRENCH2013" and get $2 off per ticket
(*) (ed: Downton Abbey meets [the French] Julia Child)
Movie trailer here:
I can't wait to see this ... somehow I have missed it... and I am so looking forward to it...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the films, Veronique... and have a wonderful weekend... xv
Thank you Vicki. You will enjoy this lovely film... You should be able to get the DVD by now... Bon weekend!
Deletetres fabulous, Veronique. Lucky me, to live and Seattle and have YOU to guide me to the right films! I love the SIFF, but it can be overwhelming if you don't have time to do your research. Merci et bon weekend! xo, ebh
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Leslie. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it! :-) I wish I lived closer to downtown myself. It would enable me to catch more movies...
Deleteje n'ai jamais entendu parler de ce festival du film!!Trop super d'avoir été invitée comme jurée, le rêve!Et donc, il y a des equipes françaises de films qui sont là?.. tu as pu en rencontrer?..Tu en dis trop ou pas assez , j'attend la suite avec impatience! En tous cas , tu dois te regaler! Profite bien de cette belle occasion!
ReplyDeleteMerci Malyss. Oui, il y a des équipes de film présentes en théorie, mais pas pour tous les films, et j'ai découvert tout ça un peu tard cette année (mais je me rattraperai l'année prochaine...) Il y a par exemple le film "Je me suis fait tout petit" et la réalisatrice, Cécilia Rouaud, sera là pendant 48 heures. Les interviews, ça m'intimide un peu quand même, mais avec un peu de pratique... :-)
DeleteQuand tu en auras vu un peu plus , j'aimerais bien savoir comment les Americains reçoivent et perçoivent les films français?..Même enthousiasme que pour les blogs sur Paris? recherche des clichés? interet plus historique? (Angelique-ben oui, finalement c'est terriblement français!)J'adore les films de cape et d'épée de cette époque, avec Gerard Barray! )
DeleteAh, Gérard Barray. J'en ai passé, des bons dimanche après-midi en sa compagnie... :-) Jean Marais, Gerard Philippe, aussi...
DeleteLes critiques des films français présentés jusqu'ici sont plutôt bonnes. Malheureusement, c'est l'accès aux films par le grand public qui est un vrai problème. Ils ne sont pas distribués dans tous le pays. Quelques mois plus tard, on peut y accéder par des services de location sur Internet (comme Netflix par exemple.) Il y a un grand producteur Hollywoodien, Harvey Weinstein, qui distribue depuis plusieurs années de nombreux films français. Il était notamment derrière l'excellent film "l'Artiste," avec Dujardin et Bejo. C'est lui qui distribue et pousse "Haute Cuisine." Si un type comme Weinstein est convaincu que les films français peuvent être rentables aux USA (malgré les sous-titres qui limitent la grande diffusion,) alors c'est une bonne nouvelle pour le cinéma français. Dans le passé, ils avaient plutôt tendance à faire de [mauvais] remakes des films étrangers, ce qui gachaît tout.
Dearest Véronique,
ReplyDeleteLucky you for being chosen as a French movie critic. You will fit that role very well. I would have to pass as with our life style and juggling several languages we lack(ed) the time to watch movies. Next life I guess...? Our preference always has been historic movies like e.g. Angélique (yes, I do have that in French and LOVE it...).
Enjoy your weekend.
Hugs,
Mariette
Bonjour Mariette. Well, I don't know if I was chosen as movie critic, but I am grateful for the opportunity to see the movies before they are released in the United States :-) Ah, Angelique. A classic. I recently saw the first movie in the series on TV5. Michelle Mercier... Beautiful!
DeleteOh, sounds like a fun time. We adore the movies! Will have to get this from Netflix.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the holiday weekend! ~ Sarah
Have a wonderful weekend as well, my dear Sarah. The weather in Seattle is a lot cooler than in Texas, I bet :-)
DeleteYou're the second person to recommend this to me Veronique so it's on my list! Sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteIt is a delightful movie, Craig, and not just if you are interested in food; looking at food; talking about food... You get the idea :-)
DeleteWould have LOVED to have seen this! Trop tard.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Frot is the bee's knees
Always superbe
The bee's knees. I like that expression. Why don't you rent the dvd? It was part of the great selection my parents brought with them last month as a belated birthday present :-)
DeleteThis movie sounds perfect - I love all about France and food and cooking. I can't wait to see the film here in Germany (which might be not so soon, I fear)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend, bisous, Monika
Bonjour Monika. if you like France and food, you will like this movie. Guaranteed. Good luck in finding it...
DeleteLucky you to get a press pass and see all these wonderful films - like you I love the cinema and this film sounds a real gem....I wish the Cannes festival had greater access to the ordinary public...although quite a lot of the films are already showing in Nice....enjoy reviewing....
ReplyDeleteI would expect the Festival de Cannes to be a lot more exclusive than the SIFF. It's really not that difficult to see movies here. Time (and distance) are bigger problems to me than access. Enjoy this year's selection in Nice...
DeleteIL FAUT LE REGARDER, CE FILM! Oh Véronique, I have a huge collection of French films and this one is a must-see! What a fantastic opportunity for YOU to be a part of this artistic collaboration! You have now given me another movie to search for and watch on these cold nights we are having! BON WEEKEND! Anita
ReplyDeleteBonjour Anita. This movie will definitely warm you up on cold nights and will make you laugh... well, with the exception of the scenes shot at the French Antarctic mission :-) They were not my favorites and slowed down the general pace of the story, I thought. But the [flashback] Paris scenes alone are worth the cost of admission! Let me know what you think when you see it, ok?
DeleteWhat a delicious, and fun movie, and now a must see for me! Thank you for posting this Veronique. :) And i for one think you would do very well as a full time film critic!
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you very much Mary :-) I will try to live up to your expectations over the next couple of weeks...
DeleteI am so excited to see this Veronique! Thank you for sharing the review!
ReplyDeletePlease do join my latest giveaway and feature.
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Will do Karena. Merci.
DeleteI will have to tell the girls about this movie. They just love French films. Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDelete~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
You're welcome. Let me know if they liked it. This is a very entertaining French movie not the slow, talkative, does-not-make any sense type of French movie :-)
DeleteLucky you! What a great invitation and in old style theatres too. I remember from my post about our local cinema that you love these traditional ones. I shall have to buy this on DVD as your review has definitely sold it to me. It sounds like an easy to watch, entertaining film. I look forward to more of your reviews!
ReplyDeleteA good movie + an old-fashioned theatre = Heaven! :-) You and I are on the same wavelength, miss b.
DeleteI would love a chef from the Dordogne in my kitchen. I am going to look for this film.
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't Esme? Even though, I will be honest: If said Chef cooked everyday the way this woman did in the movie, my liver might not survive :-)
DeleteHow fun to be a critique at the festival! Enjoy! I'm looking forward to your reviews. Haute Cuisine looks great - a film about France and food?! Sounds fantastique!
ReplyDeleteIt is fun, I won't lie. Food and France. A great pairing indeed... Enjoy!
DeleteI am reminded of one of my very favorite films, "Le Festin de Babette." Every time I watch it I am dissolved in tears at the end. It has my favorite ingredients: haute cuisine and opera. Could this new movie become one of my favorite delectations, as well? I can't wait to see it.
ReplyDeleteMerci beaucoup ma chère Véro,
Big bisous, M-T
Ok M-T. This [budding] movie critic will be honest: This ain't "Le Festin de Babette," not quite the same category if you will, but still, good, enjoyable, popular cinema (minus the opera...) Let me know what you thought. Bisous.
DeleteI love the press card Veronique :) licence to watch loads of foreign movies and in lovely old movie theatres, bliss! I saw Haute Cuisine a few weeks ago with my sister, we both enjoyed it very much..it never ceases to amaze me the dedication the French nation has for food, inspiring!
ReplyDeleteLicence yes, but it is the time I don't have. I will be much more organized next year, definitely. :-) It is hard to get organized when you are a single mom... and the kid always comes first. But as I said above, I have a great network of friends who help out whenever they can. And I am lucky for that.
DeleteOn another note, so glad you were able to catch the movie in your corner of the world. It seems destined for a successful (and well deserved) international career. A bientôt, Grace.
This sounds like a great weekly post or a least monthly! I love French movies, and this was one of my recent favorites. I think it is an excellent movie.
ReplyDelete