Food in Film
Food has often been essential to cinema. A catalyst which brings people together, it can be used for dramatic confrontation, as a comic device or even a metaphor for the meaning of life. Preparing, presenting and consuming food can evoke a mood that is sumptuous, homely, seductive, disgusting or just plain funny. Eloquent in conveying complex messages, food is a perfect vehicle for expressing the subtext in drama and comedy and for revealing intricate aspects about class, emotional states or gender. Sometimes, as in the movies "Babette's Feast" and "Tampopo", it is the real star. In this compilation below, we take the high ground and take a wide view of the social and symbolic meaning of food in film..
Right: Scene from Gabriel Axel's triumphant "Babette's Feast".
Julie and Julia ( Blu-ray ) (2009)
Director: Nora Ephron
Starring: Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Linda Emond, Amy Adams, Chris Messina
A culinary legend provides a frustrated office worker with a new recipe for life in the true stories of how Julia Child's (Meryl Streep) life and cook... Read more
Hunger for the Wild: Series 3 (2008)
Director: Peter Young
Starring: Al Brown, Steve Logan
The third series from amiable Kiwi characters Steve Logan and Al Brown sees them traverse our nation, from Ninety Mile Beach to Stewart Island, in sea... Read more
Apron Strings (2008)
6.6/10
Director: Sima Urale
Starring: Laila Rouass, Scott Wills, Jennifer Ludlam, Nathan Whitaker, Leela Patel, Peter...
Samoan-born Aucklander Sima Urale makes her feature debut with this light-hearted, multi-cultural family drama exploring the fine line between motheri... Read more
The Secret of the Grain (2007)
7.4/10
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Starring: Alice Houri, Hafsia Herzi, Abdelhamid Aktouche, Habib Boufares, Faridah Benkheta...
Aka 'Couscous'. The winner of four Cesar awards, including Best Picture and Director, Abdellatif Kechiche's 'The Secret of the Grain' is a stirring dr... Read more
I Served The King of England (2007)
7.4/10
Director: Jiri Menzel
Starring: Ivan Barnev, Oldrich Kaiser
While serving the cream of Prague society, humble waiter, Jan Dite (Ivan Barnev) dreams of owning his own hotel and becoming a millionaire. Full of de... Read more
Ratatouille ( Blu-ray ) (2007)
8/10
Director: Brad Bird
Starring: Will Arnett, Brian Dennehy, Janeane Garofalo, Brad Garrett, Ian Holm, Voices Of,...
Remy is a scrawny sewer rat with big dreams. He longs to follow in the footsteps of his hero, master chef Auguste Gusteau, whose elegant French restau... Read more
Kiwi Kitchen: Series 2 (2007)
Starring: Richard Till
In this second series of the hugely popular TVNZ show, Richard Till continues touring the country on his quest to seek out iconic New Zealand food. "I... Read more
Ratatouille (2007)
8/10
Director: Brad Bird
Starring: Will Arnett, Brian Dennehy, Janeane Garofalo, Brad Garrett, Ian Holm, Voices Of,...
Remy is a scrawny sewer rat with big dreams. He longs to follow in the footsteps of his hero, master chef Auguste Gusteau, whose elegant French resta... Read more
Hunger for the Wild: Series 2 (2007)
Director: Peter Young
Starring: Steve Logan, Alister Brown
Steve Logan and Al Brown are back on the road with series two of their award-winning adventure-cooking show, heading for the wild with the help of som... Read more
Eden (2006)
7.2/10
Director: Michael Hofmann
Starring: Josef Ostendorf, Charlotte Roche, Devid Striesow, Max Rudlinger
A curious and piognant romantic drama that sensitively unfurls the relationship between Eden, a married but lonely waitress, and her hulking and socia... Read more