Kitchen Stories (2003/2004) (AKA Salmer
fra kjokkenet, Psalmer fran koket)
It's rare that a film can display
the emotions, complexities and subtle beauty of friendship
with just a few words and simple images. "Kitchen
Stories" is such a film.
Under the guise of presenting a
quaint little story about the study of the household
habits of single men in the 60's, in this case in
Norway, the film evolves slowly and myopically towards
presenting the friendship of two men, Folke and Isak,
Folke is there to study Isak's kitchen usage habits
in an unobtrusive and scientific way. Of course, this
neutral pose is doomed to fail and eventually, the
two develop a wonderful and charming (platonic) relationship.
The start of the film is quite wonderful
as we get to see some really cool looking 50's images
that are the epitome of kitsch. As the film evolves,
it takes on a quiet and visual comedic tone that immediately
reminds one of Jacques Tati without being anywhere
near as slapstick as the French master. But soon the
verbiage comes, slow and subtle, and the film grows
more and more delightful. The pace is slow here but
the rewards are well worth the patience. This is a
wonderfully crafted film, once that has ideal pacing,
dialogue, story, characters, acting, music and visual
images. Every nuance of the film is just perfect.
There is a slight subtext here about
the impossibility of remaining neutral and not becoming
involved in something one chooses to study that may
have a more pointed meaning for the viewers from the
film's homeland(s). After all, since one man here
is Norwegian and the other Swedish, this idea of remaining
nonpartisan has some relevance. Added to the film's
time setting, directly after WWII, the film's mentions
of neutrality becomes even more poignant and important.
The film, in addition to being a unique thesis on
the nature of friendship, also suggests that such
relationships negate any notion of neutrality or dispassionate
observation.
In the end, the theme developed
about friendship here, especially its indefinable
qualities, as well as some unique points about jealousy
that are exposed are as charming and quaint as the
initial set-up of the film's plot. And while it may
take a bit of patience from some to get through such
a slow, subtle and quiet film, the rewards it has
to offer are well worth it. This is a wonderful and
sweet film.
Note:
The literal translation of the title
would be "Psalms from the Kitchen."
In Swedish and Norwegian. In fact,
Isak speaks Norwegian and Folke speaks Swedish even
when they converse at length with one and other.
The film was nominated for and won
several awards at film festivals.
The film opened in many countries
in 2003, including Sweden and Norway. It had its official
release to US arthouses in February, 2004.
Viewed in Austin in April 2004.
