Eat Drink, Man Woman (1994)
The first commercial and critical success for writer-director Ang Lee, Eat Drink Man Woman is a Taiwanese film that takes its title from the ‘Book Of Rites’ – alluding to the acceptance of basic human desires as being entirely natural. It’s a concept that perfectly encapsulates the meaning of the movie – being about human appetites, and the change they can effect.
Set in 1990s Taipei, the story centres on a widowed Chinese chef who has three unmarried daughters. Each daughter individually challenges traditional Chinese culture and, as they separately navigate their different lives, they all gather for their father’s glorious feast, every Sunday. This becomes the family forum, in which the attitudes of their father are continually questioned, new traditions are formed, and the family dynamic is altered.
With all aspects of food as the constant backdrop for this tale of social progress, the sumptuous settings and rich, satisfying characters are reflected in the mouth-watering dishes on display. Starring Sihung Lung, Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-lien Wu, Kuei-Mei Yang and Sylvia Chang, Eat Drink Man Woman received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, and heralded the arrival of a unique directorial voice in Ang Lee, who has since added three Oscars to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.
Published: May 20, 2014 01:12 pm