Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Christoffer Boe, Pivot Pictures.
“If you ask me what I want, I’ll tell you. I want everything.” ― Kathy Acker
This is one quote that aptly describes the essence of A Taste of Hunger ― a sumptuous culinary feast for the senses!
It’s an inflexible quest for excellence that knows no bounds for Carsten (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones) and his wife Maggi (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal,
A Fortunate Man).
The kitchen is at the heart of this Danish film in which the master chef is explicit about the need to be attentive, dedicated and passionate. The couple is hungry for great food and even hungrier for a Michelin star that will assure the success of their restaurant and recognise their achievements. It’s almost an obsession.
The two are a power couple within the Danish gourmet scene and will risk everything in the relentless pursuit for perfection. Everything they have is channelled into their restaurant, oblivious of the other aspects of their lives. Unfaithfulness and obstinate ambition threaten to derail their relationship.
Sweet. Sour. Salt. Fat. Heat. In fact, all the flavours are present and great contrasts exist. There’s ample opportunity to taste and savour what is a wonderful orchestration of the flavours, with a beautiful presentation. Simple yet sophisticated.
Carsten’s particular about his food using local nature, culture and produce. “That’s all you can do. Basic and structured.”
Co-written by Tobias Lindholm (Another Round), it’s director and co-writer Christoffer Boe who works to balance the histrionics. Boe is one of the heavyweights in Danish film, having directed a wide range of both critically acclaimed films, including Reconstruction (2003) which won the Golden Camera and Prix Regards Jeune at Cannes Film Festival, and box office hits such as The Purity of Vengeance.
- A Taste of Hunger is now screening in cinemas
