The Taste of Things at Perth Festival

Details: Written by: Nita Teoh; Category: Arts & Culture; Published: 23 January 2024

The-Taste-of-Things-Perth-Festival

Benoît Magimel (as Dodin Bouffant) and Juliette Binoche (as Eugénie) , The Taste of Things
Photo Credit: Carole Betheul and Curiosa Films and Gaumont

Food coma (my description) and the Napoleon of gastronomy (a term coined part way through the movie) are a couple of terms that came to mind whilst my partner and I watched the The Taste of Things under the canopy of pines at UWA Somerville Theatrette.

Luckily for us, we had already indulged in dinner and a flourless chocolate and pear tart from charlies pizza on site. Otherwise, it would have been quite a challenge coping with the hunger that would have befallen us as we watched this exquisite movie!

Exquisite is the word that comes to mind...the movie centres around food and the daily life of Eugénie (Juliette Binoche) and Dodin Bouffant (Benoît Magimel).

Set in 1885, it follows the story of Eugenie, who has been an esteemed cook for Dodin, the fine gourmet with whom she has been working for the last 20 years.

One day follows another – where fresh ingredients are harvested from the garden, carefully prepared and then consumed – in a lavish fashion.

Director Trần Anh Hùng’s movie is a spectacular feast for the senses – as the story unfolds it whips up a sensory feast – both visual and culinary.

Of important note was that Trần’s discovery of the book “The Life and Passion of Dodin-Bouffant, Gourmet” by Marcel Rouff was the catalyst that led him on a journey to make this film – taking from the book much inspiration in order to write the screenplay for this movie.

Winner of 5 awards including Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the BSFC (Boston Society of Film Critics) Award.

If you enjoy a movie that heightens the senses with its extraordinary take on food and a beautiful storyline of friendship that morphs into romance, the The Taste of Things will appeal.

Judging by a very busy evening to watch this movie on its first night with picnickers tightly sprawled across the front lawn of the theatrette and surrounding areas, this one will be a popular pick for viewing this week.

The Taste of Things is on at UWA Somerville as part of the Lotterywest Perth festival movie till this Sunday 28 January.

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