Kitchen Stories (2004)

Thanks for the memories!

It is a performances centric movie

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

A film about scientific observation and how it affects researcher and research subject alike set in 1950s rural Norway hardly sounds a promising scenario, but you have to try out Salmer fra kjøkkenet / Kitchen Stories, which screened on Rialto Channel a few nights ago. It's the sort of movie Ingmar Bergman could have made if he had had a sense of humour instead of being the stereotypical dour Swede. It certainly had me on the floor with glee from the opening scene when a troop of identical looking caravan pulling cars cross the Norway-Sweden border where they had to change driving lanes (Sweden drove on the left of the road in the 1950s, while Norway did not) and one of the drivers was physically unwell from having to drive on the "wrong" side of the road. All part of a whole host of digs Scandinavians make at each other, like any neighbouring nationalities do, but it never turned malicious. The Swedish researchers going to observe Norwegian bachelor peasants in their ergonomic use of their kitchens had me slightly squirming in my seat, because it so horribly illustrated bad sociological or psychological research, where observers think they can just watch their subjects go about their lives without actually influencing the situation or behaviour. If it all sounds unpromising or esoteric as a comedy film, don't be disheartened, but try to catch it next time it's on. Scandinavian humour is very droll.

You are not likely ever to see anything like this coming out of Hollywood, in fact you are not likely to see anything like it period. This one is cause for celebration of small independent films. Reading the plot line, "Swedish company goes to Norway to study the kitchen habits of bachelors with the goal of designing the ideally efficient kitchen," does not inspire one to rush to see this. But, score one for the IMDb commentators whose positive reviews did encourage me to see it.Much territory is covered in this quiet movie. First there is the satirical observations on the modern passion to analyze and standardize. The bachelor under observation here, Isak, proves the foolishness of the standardization effort - he doesn't even cook in his kitchen. The observer assigned to Isak, Folke, starts out as a fastidious company man, but his time with Isak changes him, as well as Isak. The rule that the observer and observed are not to talk is ultimately breached - the taciturn Norwegian bachelor farmer and the lonely company man give proof to the fact that we humans are social animals. Through friendships we become stronger and more authentic. But, as noted here, newly formed friendships can disturb existing relationships and provoke jealousies.The rigidity of corporate management structures comes in for some lampooning and the whole credibility of any survey is brought into question. There is a sort of social Heisenberg uncertainty principle in play - the acts of the surveyor influence the responses of the surveyed.This is a truly one of a kind story, uniquely realized with subtle humor, wry observations, and endearing characters.

Kitchen Stories (2003)it's abstract with its simplicity. One daily story, that can happen to everyone is schematized and deeply studied in the movie. Kitchen Stories shows us a scientific research using the methods of this research in the film language. Slow to the soul. Elegant presenting of the relationship between two lonely men. Very nice, warm and with subtle humour presents the nature of the people in the North: They have different way and view of life, but they can be real enough. Keeps the feeling of isolation and harmony. At the same time we can feel the 50's everywhere. From the beginning looks close to the daily films made in Eastern Europe years ago, but you notice that it's another, more special story.

The film starts out great, with a mock instruction film about the habits of Swedish housewives. After that we get a detailed reconstruction of post-war Scandinavia with lots of amazing cars, electronic equipment and interior design; a minimal jazz score, nice cinematography and stylish titling. Also there's some funny Scandinivian rivalry like in Von Triers 'Riget'.Sadly, after the set up, "Kitchen stories" collapses like the Twin Towers on 9/11.Actors who try to portray the emotion 'jealousy" by just staring in front of them. Corny dialog filled with stale gay symbolism in the vain of: "I don't like white swans, I prefer bears and wolves... u ever tasted bear meat?" The music becomes cheesier than Yann Tiersen at his worst.It's a pity the director put all the effort in this great set-up, just to screw it up after-wards.