Kitchen Stories
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Movie Reviews of Kitchen Stories
Movie Review: Le til du skrike! (Laugh till you scream!)
Summary: 5 Stars
my, this film had me in knots!
Having lived in Norway at one time in my life, I had a strong desire to see this when it turned up at last year's Cork (Ireland) International Film Festival. I try not to miss Scandinavian films when they're on, anyway, but the blurb sounded good, and so I went.
Scandinavian humour is known for being quite black, actually, and is sometimes hard to swallow. There are those who find British humour incomprehensible; they would find Scandinavian humour insurmountable. That is, until they see this film... (You know things will be good when you're laughing hysterically within the first five or ten minutes.)
The story begins with a group of Swedish researchers, who are sent to the cold and frozen wilderness of Norway to observe the daily habits of middle-aged Norwegian bachelors. The premise for this visit is that the researchers are attempting to redesign kitchens for the usage of such characters; the observations will facilitate a more user-friendly remodelling. It isn't too long after the introduction of the 'suits' that the viewer will be rolling on the floor in laughter. This comes about firstly by the inclusion of a bit of rather humorous history: once upon a not-so-long ago, the Swedes drove on the left, and the Norwegians (as they always had done) drove on the right. Consequently, the team of Swedish researchers, fresh from their border crossing into Norway, must suddenly avoid a near head-on collision, which leaves them discombobulated. Viewers familiar with the way the Swedish and the Norwegians are constantly jibing one another will immediately recognise the joke played on a certain group of meatball-lovers!
It only gets better. Folke, one of the observers who is destined to spend the next several months in a ridiculously high observation chair, is instructed to observe Isak, a grumpy old man and not-so-willing participant. A battle of the wills... and WITS... soon ensues. With very little dialogue, the dynamic is set by the actions of each character. Will Folke be forced to end the observation? Or will Isak submit? (And how, incidentally, are the others getting on with their studies?)
You won't believe the outcome.
Incidentally, the audience at the CIFF screening went mad for it! They were breathless with laughter, and often could hardly see through their tears of mirth.
Movie Review: Subtle humor and quirky! Enjoyable.
Summary: 5 Stars
Kitchen Stories is actually not about `stories', but the focus is on one kitchen where a research project is underway. This film set in the 50's is delicately filled with subtle humor. The quirkiness of the film is just that, a Swedish research study that involves a cavalcade of tiny trailers with a high chair attached descending upon a Norwegian village. The high chair is to observe the single male in his kitchen to study the moves that would help improve kitchen setups. The observer must sit inconspicuously in the high chair overlooking the actions of the observee and the observer sleeps in his trailer.
To add to the quirkiness is the absurdity of the project as there is to be no communication between the subjects. They are to have no interaction or exchanges in the kitchen. Human nature does not allow this, especially when two are in a home and often alone. The outcome with its consequences are predetermined to fail.
Izak lives alone in Sweden and his reason for taking on the study is because he gets a horse of out the deal. When disappointment sets in, he thinks twice about the project but goes along grudgingly, as the observed and observee begin the study.
This Norwegian film is a great study for the viewer into the observer and the observee. The movie depicts subtle humor, simple moves, simple communication. There is not necessarily a plot, but the story is driven primarily by visual communicative behavior. It is not slow, you just need to absorb the facts, take your time and observe!!
.....Rizzo
Movie Review: Friendship Unbound
Summary: 5 Stars
Isak did not care to speak to Folke. Folke was not to speak to Isak. Such were the rules unspoken and otherwise. This is "Kitchen Stories," or, as this movie is known in Norway, "Salmer Fra Kjøkkenet."
Isak, as the subject of Folke's sociological research, offered himself up to be studied thinking a horse was to be provided, and when a toy horse arrived instead of a breathing one, on strike he went. Thus began their banal arrangement.
Things delved into a quiet silence, each respecting the other's space in the midst of themselves. Each watched the other. One took notes, the other remembered. Soon, they realized how similar they were: two single men doing little more than avoiding relationships, living alone.
Isak is a curmudgeoned older bachelor living in Norway, whilst Folke, also a bachelor, makes a living studying people like Isak. However, having never dialogued with his subjects, Folke, he never saw more them as more than moving objects to be charted and analyzed. Within a few cups of coffee, two lonely men become brothers, seeing there is something more important than a self-induced hermitage.
Their relationship develops with subtle sophistication, with Folke bringing in rare treats his elderly aunt sends him, and Isak, saving his friend from being run over by a train.
Like 84 Charing Cross Road, "Kitchen Stories" is graceful in its presentation and unfolding of phileo love.
--Brockeim
Movie Review: I am stingy with 5s
Summary: 5 Stars
But this deserves it. Nearly perfect in all ways.
No need to reiterate the plot, which is very slight and well rehashed by the others. I do think there is another subtle issue going on which isn't much addressed here. The early 50s, when this movie is set, were a time of science as the end-all and be-all, the solver of all human problems and repairer of all human brokenness. Remember electricity too cheap to meter? Behaviorism? On and on the litany went, how reason and science would fix the damage done by evil and superstition.
Kitchen Stories is about the relationship between science and the heart. The famous dictum that we must murder to dissect, and by murdering our subject it is not longer fit for study, is beautifully examined here. A scientist, the dispassionate and cold observer, watches a man, and as his fondness grows, his observations diminish and then fail completely. What began as observer and observee becomes two friends. Science cannot know the human heart, just the human paths. And the way people walk around a room tells us very little about them.
Delightful touches abound, as sly jokes, clever dialog, those brilliant chairs (oh, how God-like the scientist is on his perch!) and the rawest of emotions surface in this quiet world. Even the leaders of the team, the firmest believers in what science can teach, demonstrate their own human failings and flaws. Nope, science is of limited use when looking at humans, or pigeons for that matter.
A first class film. Glad I stumbled into it!
Movie Review: A great movie!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have for some time now heard people talking about Kitchen Stories (or Salmer fra Kjøkkenet - the norwegian title) and I finally decided to buy it. And I was not disappointed. Honestly; it is one of my all time favorite moves! It is such a heartfelt, funny, easy going movie with a soft, caring touch. It stayed with me the following week.
If you're not familiar with the 1950s or do not know anything about Norway or Sweden you might not get all the funny little moments or lines. When that is said this is a movie that I believe everyone can relate to and you will be drawn into the emotions the characters are feeling.
The movie is about the interaction between a Swedish and a Norwegian man. The Swedish man comes to the Norwegian farmer to observe the Norwegian kitchen life. He cannot talk or interact with his subject. The Norwegian farmer is not too keen about being observed. And a small "war" evolves between the two men. And then there's the incident with the egg (that everyone is talking about). Without spoiling too much; let's just say the egg incident changes things.
An absurd, funny, heart felt movie you have to see at least once! A picture, a look, an understanding can tell more than a thousand words! The film will touch you in one way or another :)
The movie was also voted "Best Norwegian Movie" for the decade 2000-2009 in Norway.