Dir. Anh Hung Tran
2023 | 135 mins
Juliette Binoche, Benoît Magimel, Emmanuel Salinger

SHOWING TIMES:

• Fri 23 Feb: 2pm | 5.15pm
• Sat 24 Feb: 5pm
• Sun 25 Feb: 2.45pm*
• Mon 26 Feb: 2pm | 5.15pm
• Tue 27 Feb: 2pm*
• Wed 28 Feb: 5.15pm
• Thu 29 Feb: 2pm | 7.30pm

All films marked with * will include Descriptive Subtitling (DS):

A service for our D/deaf and hard of hearing customers that displays additional auditory information on the screen.

As well as showing the dialogue, Descriptive Subtitles provide information on other significant sounds. For example: when something is being sung; when a phone rings; when a door slams. This extra information allows customers using the subtitles to access the film more fully.

Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel star in The Taste of Things (formerly titled The Pot-au-Feu), a mouth-watering ‘gastromance’ by Tran Anh Hùng (The Scent of Green Papaya, Norwegian Wood) that won him Best Director at Cannes 2023.

France, 1885: Celebrated gourmet Dodin (Magimel) lives on an idyllic Loire Valley estate alongside Eugénie (Binoche), his cook and cooking collaborator of over 20 years. Normally Dodin devises the dishes while Eugénie executes them to perfection, and when she finally allows him to cook for her, their carefully calibrated relationship takes an unexpected turn.

Adapted from a 1924 novel by French epicure Marcel Rouff, The Taste of Things is a story about love and food, focusing on the specificity of its leads’ emotional connection and shared obsession, with an intimacy beautifully essayed by Binoche and Magimel. Opening with a bravura 40-minute sequence of preparation and indulgence in one epic meal, this is no flash in the pan but a deep tribute to the closeness experienced at work as we rely on each other. Tender, romantic and occasionally humorous, it’s also a visual feast, with lavish scenes of food preparation beautifully lit by DP Jonathan Ricquebourg that are intoxicating, sensual and in their care and detail, unexpectedly moving. With all of the appeal of Chocolat but with far more restraint on the sugar, The Taste of Things is a true feast for audiences.

Chefs 

In the winter season we’ll be taking a closer look at the life and art of the chef. We start with classic food film BIG NIGHT (29^th Jan), which follows the trials and tribulations of two brothers as they try to keep their New Jersey, Italian restaurant afloat. Next up is documentary JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (19^th Feb), which explores the care and craft that go into renowned sushi master Jiro’s creations. We end with new release TASTE OF THINGS (23^rd-29^th Feb), which is another feast for the eyes filled with sensual scenes of food and cooking. Set in 19^th century France, it centres on the relationship and shared passion for food between gourmand Dodin and his cook Eugenie.

Dr Celia Plender from University of Exeter and partner of Food on Film will introduce the screening on Monday 26 Feb, 5:15PM in relation to this season’s theme, Chefs.

FOOD ON FILM: IN FOUR SEASONS

Discover a world of food on film with a compilation of documentaries, features and shorts from around the world, scheduled across four seasons.

Each season will explore food from a different social, cultural or political angle, to discover how it shapes the world around us – our identities, livelihoods and planet. Screenings will be accompanied by talks, workshops and events hosted by food researchers and producers, and there will be plenty of opportunities to get hands on with making and tasting.

Food on Film is delivered in partnership with Exeter Food: A University Research Network and the MA Food Studies

The season is also delivered in conjunction with Exeter Phoenix Social [practice] programme.

FOR OUR FULL FOOD ON FILM PROGRAMME, TAP HERE >>

Exeter was awarded UNESCO City of Literature designation in 2019 in recognition of “outstanding contributions to culture and creativity.” – Since then, Exeter City of Literature has produced the first printed literary map of Exeter and Devon, brought internationally renowned authors to the city, and formed the Partnership Network, a group of almost 30 organisations working in literary programming in and around Exeter, including Exeter Phoenix. Find out more about Exeter City of Literature here >>

∆ BBFC Rating Details: