In our last Monday's class, we watched the 1987 Danish drama film, Babette's Feast, which was the first Danish film to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The movie is centered around two elderly, pious Christian sisters (Martine and Philippa) who live all their lives in a small remote village in 19th century Jutland, Denmark. Having a father who was a pastor and founder of his own Pietistic congregation, the two sisters lived a simple, pious life. In their youths, both sisters were very beautiful and were courted by many suitors (Lorens-officer, Papin-singer). With their father rejecting/driving away their potential suitors, the sisters stayed single and presided over the dwindling congregation after the death of their father. Initially, I thought the film was going to be a romance movie instead of a drama, and was sad that their religion (or their father's influence) drove away potential suitors and their chances for love or starting a family. In my opinion, living a pious life is difficult concept for me to grasp; I feel like it limits people from reaching a certain potential (or love/happiness). For the second half of the film, Babette arrives as a refugee and seeks to be the sisters' housekeeper based on the recommendation of Papin. Agreeing to work for free, Babette begins to blend in more/set up a routine in the small village. When the sisters were teaching Babette about how to prepare their meals, I was surprised by how simple and modest (very pious) their meals of cured fish and mushy, bread & ale pudding were. When Babette wins the lottery, her first inclination is to present the sisters and villagers with a real French dinner. Even though I did not agree with the sisters' fears that the French dinner is full of evil and sin, I was glad that they were able to accept the meal. During the preparation of the meal, I was sad to see a real turtle (I love turtles) and its use as soup in the dinner. I was also surprised by how I got to see how she prepared the quail through the killing, chopping, and decorating scenes. From the dinner scene, I was glad that the congregation were able to relax, enjoy themselves, and find peace with each other again. The meal brought them back together and was a pleasant experience for them. In the end of the movie, I was shocked but very much appreciated that Babette spent all her money preparing a full meal for the sisters and villagers and was formerly the famous chief of Cafe Anglais. I also enjoyed the last quote by Babette at the end of the film: "An artist is never poor.". From the film, I have a better understanding that food is art because food has the power to invoke & communicate emotions, is created/made by an artist (chief), involves imaginative & technical skills, and is an expression/representation of reality that can be enjoyed by others.
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