Deliberately paced, filmed without a musical score, the 2007 Belgian movie Private Property starring Isabelle Huppert delighted us recently. The story of a divorced woman living amidst tension with her two lazy adult sons features people both eating--numerous times--and cooking, amazingly enough! Think back through most American films you've seen, however, and doesn't it become apparent the characters live on air and have no kitchens? Many non -US flicks include daily nurturance as a matter of course, on the other hand. (Off topic, but---For years every French film we watched seemed to include a scene shot through flapping windshield wipers inadequate to handle northern European rainfall.)
Beyond food scenes, look for two remarkable long shots that move the story along from a distance.
Another bonus to us: shot in Belgium in an area where we lived for several years, the movie contains not only views of utter familiarity, but the script references the very real condescension of some French-speaking Belgians towards their Flemish (Dutch)-speaking neighbors.
( Still from "Private Property", orginally "Nue Propriete," thanks to http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film2/DVDReviews32/private_property.htm)
Never really noticed that before but I think you are right. I will look out for it now.
Posted by: Michelle | July 19, 2008 at 09:45 PM