tellurikwaves Blog : CINEMA :Les blessures narcissiques d'une vie par procuration

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p14

17/03/2014 05:43 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p14

17/03/2014 05:43 par tellurikwaves

French Foodie drama.

Author: Mozjoukine (Mozjoukine@yahoo.com.au) from Australia
30 April 2013

The subject is OK and unfamiliar and 'Scope Eastmancolor production values are handsome - the close-ups of food are near obscenely gorgeous.

Catharine Frot and the cast (largely unfamiliar abroad, even with Hipolyte Gyradot in there) impress though the eighty five year old TV personality fronting as President of the French Republic does seem a bit too fragile and we have to wonder about the accent of the Australian TV reporter pursuing Catharine. The Elysses Palace and the remote Iceland expedition are intriguingly shown.

However we are left wanting the revelation, which they build up cross cutting the two situations, and it never arrives, stopping this from being more than a pleasant enough offering for the LADIES IN LAVENDER audience.

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p13

17/03/2014 05:41 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p13

17/03/2014 05:41 par tellurikwaves

Ah, the tastes they are a-changin'
7/10
Author: guy-bellinger (guy.bellinger@wanadoo.fr) from Montigny-lès-Metz, France
24 June 2013

It is a strange thing that food and the movies go so well together. Strange because the show on a screen of food being prepared or being consumed should be anything but palatable insofar as it can be seen but not tasted or even smelled. And yet, the eating process, whether it is the main subject of a movie ('Babette's Feast', 'Eat Drink Man Woman', 'A Chef in Love', among others) or only an incidental feature (most strikingly so in nearly all of Hitchcock or Chabrol's thrillers), is not far from being a guarantee of quality. The reason may lie in the fact that directors who choose as their heroes characters cooking or eating refined food also vote for what is associated with it: the art of living ; as a matter of fact hedonism is a notion that passes directly from authors to viewers without the disadvantage of frustration.

Whatever the explanation, the rule is verified once again with "Les Saveurs du Palais", eclectic French filmmaker Christian Vincent's last opus. The main theme is of course haute cuisine, which would have been enough to make a good film, but the good news is that there is even more to "Les saveurs du Palais" than that. Not only will this fine movie make your mouth water but it will also give you food... for thought!

The story, somewhat loosely adapted from Danièle Delpeuch's memoirs, concerns Hortense Laborie (as Delpeuch is renamed in the film), French President François Mitterand's personal chef from 1988 to 1990. The chronicle of the two and a half years she spent in the kitchens of the Elysée Palace allow Christian Vincent to tell a multi-layered tale : "Les Saveurs du Palais" does not simply bear witness to the mastery of its hero's art of cooking it also makes the viewer discover little- tread territory (the presidential cooks' machismo, the rivalry between the Elysée Palace's two restaurant services, the new supremacy of technocrats who favor budget cuts over creativity, the tastes changing with the passing of time, the rather pathetic portrait of a President at the end of his rope). Continued interest is therefore ensured. The construction in flashback form is interesting and the direction good without being ostentatious.

But what really determines the success of the film is the choice of its star, Catherine Frot. The actress is indeed just perfect in her role: she is every inch Hortense Laborie and arouses immediate identification. Another added value is Arthur Dupont in the role of her assistant. The young performer displays a very likable charm, made of bashfulness mixed with irony. The "couple" he forms with Catherine Frot is simply irresistible. To make a long story short, "Les saveurs du palais" is both a sensual and intelligent movie that will delight wide audiences. And I presume that you will be in that number. And that is not all, you can even double your pleasure by... having your meal AFTER seeing Christian Vincent's little treat, instead of BEFORE. Such a move will doubtless give an Elysian taste to what otherwise would have been mere food!

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p12

17/03/2014 05:38 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p12

17/03/2014 05:38 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p11

17/03/2014 05:33 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p11

17/03/2014 05:33 par tellurikwaves

Cooking for the President's taste...and ours...
6/10
Author: intelearts from the big screen
5 July 2013

Les Saveurs du Palais is for those who like their dramas without the drama - it offers some insight to French internal politics, but much more, it is simply a charming way to celebrate la cuisine francaise.

A gentle, well-made drama-comedy based on the real-life experiences of Danièle Delpeuch who really was Mitterand's cook - this fictional account places heavy emphasis on the food and takes us on a journey to the heart of the French cuisine - perfection and simplicity. The film starts on Antartica's Crozen Island and through flashbacks we see how the president's personal cook, fictinally named, Hortense Laborie, ended up there.

Catherine Frot has become one of France's best actresses for dramas that require a still, calm, composed center, with the hint that passion is simmering under the surface - her slightly bemused but determined trademark style makes this film work - it is a wonderful solo performance - and she is in every scene - and she brings a delicacy to the role that makes the film a delight to watch.Not surprisingly perhaps the film lacks a little when it comes to conflict and drama - there is good drama - but, it is rather a look into the Champs Elysée and its internal workings.

A strong supporting cast, particularly her young sous-chef (Arthur Dupont), who is rapidly becoming a name in French cinema, and the President (Novelist Jean D'Ormesson - who is a superb and prolific biographer but is not a professional career actor). Director Christian Vincent makes great use of permission to film in and around the president's palace and like the food the two settings, the Champs Elysée and in Antartica's Crozen Island lift the film.Overall, this is a charming, and interesting take on food and it's place throughout French society - it is well worth your time.

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p10

17/03/2014 05:30 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p10

17/03/2014 05:30 par tellurikwaves

Chou farci

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p9

16/03/2014 17:17 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p9

16/03/2014 17:17 par tellurikwaves

An exaltation of cooking and good food
7/10
Author: simona gianotti from Italy
18 August 2013

Movies and food get on very well, and no doubt "Les saveurs dans le Palais" is no exception. There's a strange magic in movies dealing with cooking and when I come across a movie like this I always feel fascinated and relaxed. In this case the creation of good food is in the hands of Hortense Laborie, who works in the kitchen of the Elysee Palace, but she is able to put the same passion when she is cooking in a South Antartict base. In both settings she shows the same love for food, for looking for good food.

Undoubtedly, the most charming part is the one set in the Palace, where we can see, almost smell the fragrance of her dishes, made of highly selected ingredients, although never lacking a home-made touch. And this is the most appealing part of the movie, which for the rest lacks something in terms of psychological insight of the characters. Hortense herself stands up for her passion for food, and indeed cooking is the only means other characters and we as viewers have to get in touch with her. From the beginning till the end she remains mysterious and a little detached from others, always ready to leave when she starts to put down roots.

In general, the movie seems too focused on the preparation and the exaltation of wonderful dishes, that everything else seems not to deserve that same attention. But this is a typical feature of movies like this, and also its strong point, I was fascinated by Hortense preparing, and earlier by her describing the recipes, by her naming each ingredient accompanying it with its provenience, and then, of course, by her realizing the recipe as if it were a work of art. In the end, a pleasant picture to see ... and to taste.

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p8

16/03/2014 12:28 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p8

16/03/2014 12:28 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p7

16/03/2014 12:01 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR- LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS p7

16/03/2014 12:01 par tellurikwaves

Inspiration

Pour écrire le scénario, Christian Vincent et Étienne Comar se sont inspirés du parcours de Danièle Mazet-Delpeuch, chef cuisinière au palais de l'Élysée auprès de François Mitterrand de 1988 à 1990. Lors du générique d’ouverture du film, son nom est mentionné, précédé de la mention « librement adapté ».

Aucune information n'est donnée sur l'inspiration du chef de cuisine Pascal Le Piq et/ou sa possible ressemblance avec le chef de l'époque.

Certains noms de personnages, comme Coche-Dury, Épenot, Perrières ou encore Jean-Marc Luchet font référence à des vignerons renommés ou à des climats bourguignons.

Saint-Honoré
Le dessert « vedette » du personnage interprété par Catherine Frot, le saint-honoré « crème mémé », fait écho à l'adresse du palais de l'Élysée : la rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, au n° 55.

Š-DR-LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS de Christian Vincent (2012) p6

16/03/2014 11:58 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR-LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS de Christian Vincent (2012) p6

16/03/2014 11:58 par tellurikwaves

Sites Externes

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Miscellaneous Sites

Photographs

Š-DR-LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS de Christian Vincent (2012) p5

16/03/2014 11:56 par tellurikwaves

Š-DR-LES SAVEURS DU PALAIS de Christian Vincent (2012) p5

16/03/2014 11:56 par tellurikwaves

Lieux de tournage

Censé se dérouler au palais de l'Élysée, le film n'y a pas été principalement tourné, pour des raisons évidentes de praticité. L’un des plus importants lieux de tournage est donc l'hôtel du Châtelet (situé dans le 7e arrt de Paris), siège du ministère du Travail. Néanmoins, plusieurs scènes ont été tournées au palais même, notamment dans la cour d’honneur, le grand vestibule et la salle des fêtes, ainsi que des vues d’extérieur, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré et avenue Marigny.

Un court passage est également tourné sur le pont Alexandre-III, qui mène jusqu’au palais de l'Alma, brièvement aperçu, lequel loge une partie des personnels de l’Élysée.Les scènes censées se dérouler sur les îles Crozet (terres australes et antarctiques françaises) ont quant à elles été réalisées en Islande.